Nature’s New Year

At exactly 5:18 pm EDT today (September 22, 2009), we will experience the autumnal equinox and Summer will gracefully yield to Autumn. Machaelle Small Wright refers to this equinox as Nature’s New Year, and that absolutely makes sense to me. In my own life, September feels much more like The Beginning than does January. Part of that is because our school year begins this month (and with two children in grade school, everything is new in September). But beyond that societal structure, summer feels like the end of a complete life cycle, after which I am ready for a fresh start. (In January, I’m still hibernating!)

Think of it this way: The “seeds” that we sow during today’s equinox — on a deep energetic level — will fall upon the earth, nestle into the soil, enter into a quiet state of rest, gather energy for the birth of Spring, and prepare to burst forth and grow with strength and glory during next year’s growing season. At the end of that growing season — the end of next year’s summer — this cycle will begin anew. It sure does make sense.

Alas, my life timing does not always line up with the precise timing of the solstice/equinox shifts, so today at exactly 5:18 pm EDT I will either be in the public library helping my children choose books or at the hardware store getting keys made. Either way, I will take a moment to breathe deeply and feel my connection to Nature. I will set my intention to open to this new cycle, both on a personal level and on a Nature-partnership level, and to do whatever I can to “assist in its full unfolding*.” (Please, please, let it be at the library…)

I’d love to hear how others are marking this seasonal transition, too. If you’d like, please post a comment and let me know! Happy New Year!!

* Machaelle Small Wright, http://www.perelandra-ltd.com/Solstice_Equinox_Cycle_W4585.cfm