Nikki Starcat Shield,
The Autumnal Equinox arrives with fanfare here in the northeast. The farm stands and farmer’s markets overflow with vegetables and fruits. Piles of orange pumpkins catch the eye. Crisp apples delight the taste buds.
Fall foliage is just beginning to emerge, as the cooler nights and sunny days alert the trees that it’s nearly time for their long rest.
I think of the “back to school” vibe of fall—which I still feel every year, even though I haven’t been in school for decades—as the modern equivalent of harvest mode. Most of us aren’t farmers, and don’t rely on what we grow ourselves in order to be fed for the winter. Yet there is still that fall impulse to organize, get active, and clear our spaces.
The harvest, for most of us, is mainly metaphorical. But Paganism is, at its heart, a pastoral religion. In other words, our holidays are organized in accordance with the agricultural calendar. So let’s use that connection to the bountiful earth to enrich our lives, just as our ancestors did to survive and, we hope, thrive.
First, there’s the community aspect of farming. Even in rural areas, not every farm raised every crop. There was plenty of trade. Farmer Jane had lots of pumpkins, while Farmer Joe’s chickens were prolific. Pumpkins (or pies) for eggs seems like a perfect deal. How does this sharing of resources show up for you, in your communities of choice? Do you barter? Do you hire someone for services that you can’t or don’t wish to do on your own?
Next, let’s look at gratitude. In the U.S. the practice of sharing our thanks is associated with Thanksgiving. But all harvest festivals come with a huge dose of gratitude. What are the bountiful harvests in your life right now, in the autumn of the year? Our modern way of life has trained most of us to focus on what’s missing, what’s wrong, what we’re lacking. Flip that notion on its head, even if only for a moment. What are your biggest blessings?
Finally, harvest season is a time of plenty. Sure, veggies were being canned, dried, and preserved in various ways. But often this was also a time of feasting, holding barn dances, and sharing the bounty. Which areas of your life are overflowing with abundance? How can you share them?
If money is flowing for you, will you give to causes you care about or those less fortunate? If you’re blessed with lots of love and friendship, can you share it by welcoming someone lonely to your table? Maybe, like me, you have a lot of books, and will pass some of them along to others to read over the colder months to come. Think of ways to share your own harvest with your community.
Remember that in order to give, there must also be a recipient. Be open to receiving the bounty that others offer to you. Yes, even that basket of zucchini.
Nikki Starcat Shields is an author, writing coach, and leader of transformational writing retreats. She’s also a licensed Pagan priestess. Nikki teaches people to be Thriving Artists, writing their heartfelt books while also nurturing themselves and their creative lives. She lives in Hollis, Maine and adores reading, cats, and spending time by the ocean. She can be found at http://www.nikkistarcatshields.com.
Pumpkin & gourd photo by Rob Fallows.