September

Fall Harvest

As September draws to a close and we move past the autumn equinox, I find myself reflecting on harvest—not just the literal gathering of what's been grown, but the deeper recognition of what we've cultivated throughout the year. Mabon, the pagan celebration of the fall equinox (thank you to my friend Louie for reintroducing me to this concept!), invites us to pause and acknowledge the abundance we've created, even as nature begins its release into dormancy.

This month, I've been experiencing a rich harvest of connection and support. The women's group has brought such meaningful relationships and wisdom into my life—a harvest I couldn't have predicted when I planted those first seeds of intention earlier this year. I'm also preparing for the Jeanne Geiger Crisis Center Annual Walk Against Domestic Violence on October 5th, and the outpouring of support from my community has been humbling and beautiful. If you'd like to contribute to this important cause, register to walk with us or give below.

What strikes me most about this harvest season is how intertwined it is with endings. The most vibrant fall colors—those brilliant reds and golds we celebrate—are actually leaves preparing to die and return to the earth. There's something profound about recognizing that harvest isn't just about what we gather and keep, but also about what we honor as complete and ready to release.

Here are ways to embrace the harvest season:

• Acknowledge your year's growth - Take time to recognize what you've cultivated since January, even the harvests that don't look like you expected

• Honor what's ending - Like fall leaves, some things in our lives are beautiful precisely because they're completing their cycle

• Gather your resources - Identify the support, connections, and strengths you've developed that will sustain you through darker months

• Practice gratitude for the whole cycle - Appreciate not just the abundance, but also the fallow periods and struggles that made growth possible

  
  

Your practical takeaway: Create a "Harvest Inventory." Take a few moments to write down: What have I cultivated this year? What connections or skills have grown? What's ready to be released with gratitude? What do I want to carry forward? This simple practice helps you consciously acknowledge your year's work before winter arrives.

Brief Updates:

Our September 17th virtual women's group session was wonderful, and I was especially excited to welcome several first-time members to our circle! The harvest of connection and shared wisdom continues to be one of the most meaningful aspects of this work.

Next session: Wednesday, October 15th at 4 PM ET. Topics and details will follow soon. If you're interested in joining our supportive community in October, please email me. The investment remains $27 per session.

Closing Reflection

During my waterfront runs this month, I've watched the seagrass shift from summer green to golden brown, and my garden transform into a tapestry of vibrant autumn colors mixed with spent blooms. Several times a week, I gather fallen leaves—some still brilliant with color, others already brown and brittle.

There's a lesson in these leaves. They don't apologize for their death. They transform into something beautiful before they fall, then return to nourish the soil for next year's growth. The harvest season asks us to see the whole cycle: the beauty of what's thriving, the grace of what's ending, and the trust that what falls away becomes compost for future growth.

As you look at your own year, what are you ready to harvest with gratitude? What beautiful things might be completing their cycle? How can you honor both the abundance and the release that this season offers?

“Eternity is in love with the productions of time.” —William Blake

“When it's over, I want to say: all my life I was a bride married to amazement.” — Mary Oliver