At the Autumn Equinox, as with the spring, we take this moment of equal day and night to focus on a point of balance. In the mellowness of early autumn, we can quietly observe this brief stillness. There is a certain relief in letting go of the hectic growth of summer. With the slowing that autumn brings comes a certain restfulness and acceptance.
~ Maria Ede-Weaving
(The Essential Book of Druidry: Connect with the Spirit of Nature)
Ha Ha, I don’t think of Autumn as slowing down much, Barbara. On the contrary, with kids going back to school, football weekends, farmers in the fields harvesting, and early Christmas shopping (to name just a few), I think of this as a bustling time of year. Nevertheless, it’s my favorite time of year, so Happy Equinox!
It’s my favorite time of year, too. I call them the “-ber” months. 🙂 Even if we’re not slowing down in some ways, the equinox marks a shift in energy and a change of pace. I know I slow down and enjoy the scenery more, instead of rushing from one air-conditioned place to another, trying to avoid the hot and humid summer air!
Ha! I agree with Debbie. This time is busier for me dealing with raking up oak leaves and preparing for the winter ahead! Barbara Happy Equinox!!
Funny how differently people look at things! I haven’t raked leaves in years but I used to find that much more relaxing than mowing the lawn in the summer!
Balance, restfulness, and acceptance! Yes please, sign me up.
Consider yourself added to the list for a full season of balance and rest!
“With the slowing that autumn brings comes a certain restfulness and acceptance” … along with relief from the heat and humidity! That’s a very peaceful passage to pair with these hard-working women who would welcome a break from their task.
I’m with you there, Linda! Good riddance to the heat and humidity! Interesting that you see a lot of hard work for the women in the painting — I always thought of apple picking as fun. I guess it depends on how much of it needs to be done. 😉
We used to have cider mills that had U-pick areas to pick your own apples. I don’t know if they still do that. We have strawberry farms that allow you to U-pick. I was thinking it was hard work as the older woman was re-adjusting her head scarf, maybe taking a little break from stooping over to pick the apples from the ground like her counterpart was doing.