Turning a Leaf at the Equinox

Cercidophyllum by the summerhouse turning multi-golden hues and smelling like toffee

Sarah Ban Breathnach writes in her entry in "Simple Abundance" for  the beginning of September...."Since ancient times, September has been viewed as the beginning of the new year, a time for reflection and contemplation....when the leaves start turning colours, its time for turning over a personal new leaf so that our lives may be restored"

Glennie Kindred, in "Sacred Celebrations - a sourcebook"  observes  that "Here, at Autumn Equinox, the earth's energy is balanced between the inner and outer worlds. Now, at this point of balance, look back on what you have achieved and plant the seeds of where you wish to go"

Fennel flowering in the herb garden, apples on the tree

Nature's naturally exquisite colour combinations - the green and purple of a milk-thistle

It was this concept that inspired the name of my own counselling and
personal development business, Turnaleaf, in which I encourage my
clients to "turn a leaf in your journal, turn a leaf in your life".

On this day of the Equinox, when nature in the northern hemisphere now
turns to a gathering in, and when we ourselves think of drawing inwards
towards shelter and warmth, will any of you turn your thoughts inwards, to
think about what you yourself want to manifest in your own lives? Will
September be the beginning of a New Year of the Spirit for you?

Harvest! My own sweet red onions, grown in the veggie garden. Simple abundance!

Some members of my much loved on-line writing group, Collective Journey, have decided to create vision boards over the next few weeks, to visually manifest and affirm changing and new pathways in their own lives. These boards are apparently a "big thing" in the book and film of "The Secret", though I was introduced to the idea several years ago - way before their appearance there,  by Kathleen Adams, in her book "Journal to the Self". Creating my own visual imagery in my training to teach journal writing for self development was a revelation, and I have used it and taught it, and valued it ever since.

Sedum breaking into flower

My new Vision Board goes on my wall tonight, as I "Turn a leaf" in my own thoughts for the future. Will any of you join me? As Sarah b-B comments "September resolutions only ask that we be open to positive change. ...The beauty of Autumn resolutions (manifestations/visualisations) is that
no-one else knows we're making them."...That is, of course, unless you care to share them here  with me!

Photographs are of the glorious autumn day today here at Autumn Cottage - a perfect day to visualise good things for the future.

Stately fronds of pampas grass

A late-flowering rose

Turning inwards to contemplation

Comments

[Leslie Garcia]

Dear Roz,
Oh... how amamzing your photographs are! I think your tree is showing a change of seasons in just the perfect way. I Love the book SIMPLE ABUNDACE!
Enjoy this Sunday.
Leslie

[Darla]

What a thought provoking post Roz. Not to mention it is filled with beautiful photo's. It has been awhile since I pulled out my copy of S.A., I'm going to go looking for it.

You've inspired me to think about where I am and where I'm going.

Darla

[LadyLauraKay]

Isn't it "funny" how September seems to be the perfect month for making resolutions? I always considered September the start of a new year, a new leaf, rather than January. I always felt a little out of step with the rest of the world who followed the calendar instead of their enternal clock. I though I was a little strange in my beliefs and attributed it to a carryover from my schoolgirl days (Sept. beging the start of a new school year) until I learned about the Jewish calendar and how the end of September is the beginning of the new year!
Funny how we "know" things instinctfully without knowing the reason behind it.

[Britt-Arnhild]

Turn a leaf - good luck to you.
I often feel that every day in the life of us diary writers is about turning leafs. Do you agree?

[Eunice]

Thank you for the insights, Roz. Fall has always been my favorite season, and I never knew why, but your post resonated with me. When I really thought about it, for me, it meant the dying out of the things no longer needed, and a season of possibilities ahead.

[possumlady]

Wonderful post! Just this past Friday evening I took out my Simple Abundance book to start rereading it, starting with September. It is so inspiring. Autumn is truly my favorite season. I don't find it depressing at all. As a single gal, and not much of a gardener, I look forward to putting my garden and yard to bed for the winter to concentrate on more creative inside activities.

[Fran aka Redondowriter]

What a marvelous and inspiring group of photos, Roz. And I love the turnaleaf concept for your practice. As you know, I went to Michaels and bought a display board for my vision board. When vertical, it is 36 x 48". Here's a link: http://www.michaels.com/art/online/displayArticle?articleNum=ae0278, As you know, I've been creating treasure maps at the beginning of each year for more than 20 years. It was Shakti Gawain's idea in Creative Visualization. The concepts are similar, but there is nothing new under the sun, is there? I'm glad the Secret got the concept out there to more people.

I'm looking forward to doing this in a brand new way with three whole months to do it in. Thanks for suggesting it.