Autumn's Embrace: Unveiling the Sacred In Nature

As summer's fiery reign gracefully yields to autumn's gentle embrace, the world undergoes a metamorphosis that is both breathtaking and profound. The once vibrant hues of green morph into a mesmerizing tapestry of gold, crimson, and amber, painting the landscape with a beauty that is both ephemeral and enchanting. My gardens have been quite neglected this year and so a reprieve from the worry of tending is welcome.

In this season of transition, nature unveils its sacred artistry, whispering secrets of transformation, renewal, and the interconnectedness of all things. The rustling of fallen leaves beneath our feet serves as a gentle reminder of the impermanence of all existence, while the crisp autumn air invigorates our senses, urging us to awaken to the present moment.

For countless cultures throughout history, autumn has been revered as a time of harvest and abundance, a time to gather the fruits of our labor and celebrate the natural world. It is a season of introspection and gratitude, a time to reflect on the cycle of life, death, and rebirth that is inherent in all things.

As we immerse ourselves in the beauty of autumn, we are invited to participate in the sacred art of nature observation. This art is not confined to the realm of formal artistic expression; rather, it can encompass any activity that allows us to connect with the inherent beauty and wisdom of the natural world.

Here are a few simple ways to incorporate the sacred art of nature into your autumn rituals:

• Embark on a mindful walk through nature. As you wander through the woods or along a meandering trail, allow your senses to guide you. Notice the delicate patterns on fallen leaves, the intricate details of a spider's web, and the symphony of sounds created by birdsong and the rustling of leaves.

• Gather natural materials to create a nature mandala. Arrange leaves, twigs, stones, and other found objects in a circular pattern. As you create your mandala, focus on the present moment and allow your creativity to flow freely. Let nature slowly take back these materials or create an intentional ceremony for yourself of dismantling this art piece you have lovingly created. What elements might you include in your ceremony - fire, water, earth and air possibly? Keep it simple at first.

• Spend time in quiet contemplation near a body of water. Sit beside a stream, river, or lake and allow the gentle rhythm of the water to wash away your worries and cares. As you gaze into the water, reflect on the ever-changing nature of life.

• Create a seasonal altar. Gather objects that represent the beauty of autumn, such as pumpkins, gourds, acorns, and colorful leaves. Place these objects on a table or shelf and use them as a focus for meditation or prayer. Anything that you may gather on your walks can be incorporated - a rock, an interesting nest, a piece of lichen found disturbed under your feet. It is also nice to collect dried plant material like herbs, roots, and berries to add to your altar or tableau.

• Simply sit or lie down in a natural setting and allow yourself to be present in the moment. Breathe in the fresh air, listen to the sounds of nature, and feel the warmth of the sun on your skin. A soft gaze helps you drop into a more relaxed state. Do you have a favorite spot that you are drawn to? Make it easy to get to in your daily activities? A simple pause during the day can be surprisingly fulfilling.

As you engage in the sacred art of nature, you will open yourself up to the beauty and wisdom of the natural world. You will also gain a deeper understanding of the cycle of life and death, and the interconnectedness of all things. Perhaps a small notebook carried can become a meaningful record for your days. Even just a few sentences to record the world that you are sensing is an important way to track where you are finding important observations. As the years go by - reviewing these words can reveal how you might be developing internally. What shifts are you noticing? Who are now in this moment? A whole world exists in nature journaling that can be as complex or simple as you feel connected to creating and exploring - in word, painting, drawing, colored pencil, song, poetry.

So, as autumn embraces the world with its enchanting beauty, take some time to slow down, to connect with nature, and to unveil the sacred arts that lie hidden within its embrace.

“To be in love with the world is particularly lucky, as it’s everywhere: city, country, and suburb. And luckiest of all is that it’s never too late to fall into this particular thrall. All you need to do is begin to look around.””

— Bill McKibben

Poetry as a healing art: Words that mend the soul

Poetry is often thought of as a form of entertainment or self-expression, but it can also be a powerful tool for healing. Reading and writing poetry can help us to process difficult emotions, make sense of our experiences, and find solace in the shared human condition.

Here are some of the ways in which poetry can be healing:

• It can help us to process difficult emotions. Poetry can provide a safe space for us to express our pain, grief, anger, and other difficult emotions. It can also help us to understand and accept our emotions, and to find healthy ways of coping with them.

• It can help us to make sense of our experiences. Poetry can help us to reflect on our experiences and to see them in a new light. It can also help us to find meaning and purpose in our suffering.

• It can help us to connect with others. Poetry can help us to feel less alone in our experiences. It can also help us to connect with others who have shared similar experiences.

• It can offer us comfort and hope. Poetry can remind us that we are not alone in our suffering, and that there is always hope for healing.

Poetry therapy is a type of therapy that uses poetry to promote healing and well-being. Poetry therapists work with individuals and groups to use poetry to process emotions, make sense of experiences, and connect with others. You do not need to work with a therapist to find poetry as your own healing way.

Here are some tips for using poetry as a healing art:

• Find poems that resonate with you. There is no right or wrong way to choose poems for healing. The most important thing is to find poems that speak to you on a personal level.

• Read the poems slowly and carefully. Take your time to savor the words and images. Pay attention to how the poems make you feel. Engage your senses as you read through some of your favorite poems.

• Write your own poems. Writing poetry can be a powerful way to process your emotions and to make sense of your experiences. There is no need to be a professional poet to write healing poetry. Just write whatever comes to mind. Poetry is for the people!

• Share your poems with others. Sharing your poems with others can help you to connect with others who have shared similar experiences, and it can also help you to feel less alone. There are poetry circles that offer a supportive atmosphere . Libraries , art centers, senior centers and community spaces may offer something creative in your local area.

If you are interested in using poetry for healing, there are many resources available to help you. There are books and articles on the subject, and there are also poetry therapists who can work with you individually or in a group. In my Biography & Sacred Arts work - poetry is a meaningful, healing practice.

Dandelion Seeds

Nature Aria

by Yi Lei
translated by Tracy K. Smith and Changtai Bi

Autumn wind chases in
From all directions
And a thousand chaste leaves
Give way.

Scatter in me the seeds
Of a thousand saplings.
Let grow a grassy heaven.
On my brow: a sun.
This bliss is yours, Living
World, and alone it endures.
Music at midnight.
Young wine.
Lovers hand in hand
By daylight, moonlight.
Living World, hold me
In your mouth,

Slip on your frivolous shoes
And dance with me. My soul
Is the wild vine
Who alone has grasped it,
Who has seen through the awful plot,
Who will arrive in time to vanquish
The river already heavy with blossoms,
The moon spilling light onto packs
Of men. What is sadder than witless
Wolves, wind without borders,
Nationless birds, small gifts
Laden with love’s intentions?

Fistfuls of rain fall hard, fill
My heart with mud. An old wind
May still come chasing in.
Resurrection fire. And me here
Laughing like a cloud in trousers,
Entreating the earth to bury me.

“Poetry really is the cure.
When we stop jabbering long enough to listen to what is going on around, among, and inside us—and we have someone to help us put that into the fewest, truest words available to us—the air clears and the aliveness flows through all the spaces in between.”

— Barbara Brown Taylor