Autumnal Equinox 2021
Walk as if you are kissing the Earth with your feet. ~ Thich Nhat Hanh
This time of year is about change and within that process striving for balance bringing in the harvest of the year. The weather can be unpredictable as we do this, mirroring other aspects of our lives such as emotionally, physically, mentally and spiritually. As the past 18 months, or so, has highlighted uncertainty, there may be a tendency to seek diversions as a strategy exacerbated by a surfeit of different opinions, anger, whirling around us. Therefore it may be helpful at times to buy oneself time as opposed to avoidance – keeping an open mind and being clear, discerning, about ones own values – not easy.
Staying grounded, focused and practical are going to be vital. From the outside might even appear impartial. One minute we are going to have a sense of the bigger picture and the next a sense of confusion, mood swings, a need for personal survival. It will be essential to clear any dross from our minds, bodies and spirits in order to attain clarity through our higher minds. Some useful analytical questions might be: do I have conflicting values within myself; do I have any misplaced loyalties; what are my ethical standards – do I expect the same from others or accept the differences; where am I restless and have a need for freedom?
During the three months of this Equinox, we may feel we are travelling far with a new found energy and persistence. Before we embark on this journey, do we have a feeling that we will be returning home at the end of it or is that unknown or is home a place within ourselves? Our sense of curiosity and, at times, our passion may be difficult to control reminding us to focus and stay grounded. It can be helpful to take reflective pit stops, meditate and reevaluate our primary purpose. Are we heading somewhere we haven’t been before? What are we learning in the meantime? Are we listening to a wake up call to change? We are being given a chance to eventually attain unity but first of all we need to achieve that within ourselves.
This Equinox is full of questions. Perhaps the most important one is “am I walking as if I am kissing the Earth with my feet?”
