Honoring the Cycles & Rhythms of Nature

Do you feel the shift? 

The shy sun rays rising later on the horizon, the slight shimmer of golden hues appearing on the tip of leaves, the sweater that comes out to embrace us on cooler nights, the crickets adding a serene soundscape to quieter nights… Yes, fall is coming.

Nature has always fascinated me. In her beautiful cycles and rhythms, she is our most powerful teacher and reminds us that Life is a never-ending cycle of death and rebirth.

She teaches us about strength, resilience, adaptability and grace in the face of change. 

Nature does not resist change, instead she embraces change and fully expresses all of her beauty within each season. 

Look around you. Nature has its own intelligence and knowing: The trees do not resist shedding their leaves, the animals know to prepare their nest for the colder months to come. 

As beings that are made of the five great elements, we too are Nature, and as such, we hold her intelligence within us. 

With greater attunement to Nature’s rhythms, so too can we honor the cycles that are coming to a close and those that are opening in our life.

Unfortunately, in our modern culture, we have become disconnected from these rhythms. 

Most of us bury our noses in our devices, seeking virtual connection, rather than going outside to notice where the sun is, to watch the cloud beings float by, to smell the fragrance of change changing foliage afoot, to look to the moon in the dark sky and allow her phases to inform us. 

What would it be like if we were more connected to these cycles?

Most of us have all experienced these moments of recognition: A moment when we happen to look up and see the shimmering mystery of the full moon, or when we take a few minutes to watch a sunrise or sunset. 

These encounters carry an inexplicable sense of connection, wholeness, balance and relationship.

So why should we care about these cycles?

A huge part of our dis-ease in modern culture comes from our sense of isolation and disconnection from each other and from the living world that has created us. We are starving for real connection and yet we seek it in the shallow liaisons of social media. 

The rhythms and cycles of the natural world invite us to enter into a real relationship of reciprocity: to offer our acknowledgement, gratitude and respect and to receive nourishment, acceptance and healing. 

In this way we can re-establish alignment and connection in our lives.

As we transition into fall, we can notice the rhythmic sequence of daylight and darkness, reminding us of the cycles of energy and fatigue in our body. We can notice the changing weather as a reflection our emotional weather, constantly shifting in response to life. 

Just as it is not sustainable for the weather to be sunny all the time, we are not designed to be happy all the time. The weather of our emotions is full of wisdom, informing us and moving us to respond effectively in relationships and life situations.

Fall is a time when we are invited to release and let go of who, and what, must pass. As you read this, take a moment to pause and reflect on the following: 

1. As we harvest our actual vegetables and grains, take a moment to think about the things you are harvesting metaphorically, from past work you have done. What work are you reaping the benefits of?

2. As the plants and leaves slowly fall off, what habits or element of your life would like to say goodbye to?

3. What are some things you have been grateful for lately and why?

Finally, here are a couple suggestion to connect with Nature’s rhythms this fall season:

-Take time to just sit and watch the sun play with the clouds, listen to the birds, feel the interplay of the elements around you.

-When you have energy, use it well. When you are tired, give yourself permission to slow down and rest. Your body is part of the natural world, follow and honor its rhythms! 

-Honor all the expressions of the weather, in the same way, acknowledge the weather of your emotions rather than judging and shunning it.

-Connect to the primal rhythm of your breath, reminding you of the unending cycle of reciprocity: breathing in spirit and oxygen from the living world and releasing, letting go and offering nourishment back.

-Allow yourself to follow the rhythm of your heart’s guidance rather than the questionable imperatives of the ego-mind.

-Honor Nature’s abundant Harvest through culinary creations, enjoying seasonal fruits and vegetables with your loved ones. 

In simple, practical, daily ways, may be stay mindful in our choices, noticing those that add to disconnection and mind-centered individualism, and those that turn towards small acts that contribute some much-needed gratitude and respect and which nourish ourselves, each other and the living world.