CYTA Autumn Theme
By Mary Garvey
November is an interesting month. It feels like we are on the cusp of change. I must admit as November looms I’ve often found myself experiencing a sense of dread for what was coming down the line. The Summer has gone along with the growth and colour in our gardens, even the most resilient of plants are starting to fade away. There is less light, more darkness. The winter and inclement weather is looming, and even the Autumn is slipping away.
By now the clocks have changed and “fallen back”, so in a way there has been a change in time! In terms of recording of time, it is interesting to consider the word November comes from the word novem, meaning nine. November was originally the ninth month of the Roman Calendar. Somehow the name has stuck but on the eleventh month instead, so if you’ve ever felt a sense of imbalance around this time of year, perhaps this explains it.
November is officially a time of remembrance for those who have contributed in two World Wars and later conflicts and the anniversary of the end of hostilities in World War 1. Many of us will wear a poppy to remember those who served. It often feels like November itself mirrors the sombreness and contemplation of the occasion. We have Halloween and Bonfire night as milestones as the month proceeds on its journey through time.
Exploring November from a different perspective can perhaps bring a little lightness into our experience of this month as we approach the darker time of the year. I wonder if the darkness is something to be fearful of, or instead, can we embrace the consideration of being in harmony with the natural world. Our ancestors celebrated the festival of Samhain or Summers end at this time of year. It was also considered the end of harvest time and approach of a New Year. In Irish/Gaelic the word for November is Mi na Samhna, the month of Samhain. It was believed that at this time of year the boundary between the living and the dead was at its thinnest, and a lot of what we perceive as Halloween traditions stem from this time. Examples include the tradition of dressing up and wearing masks, leaving treats out for any friendly spirits or trick or treaters. Traditionally it was a time for lighting bonfires to combat the impending darkness, building altars to honour ancestors and symbolising the end of harvest, coming together, dancing, feasting and carving faces into turnips to make lanterns to ward off evil spirits.
Perhaps we can embrace this month as a time for introspection, a chance set our intentions once more. November may be an opportunity to consider what weight we can release, the things we can let go of, as the last leaves fall from the trees, so we can move forward perhaps feeling a little bit lighter for doing so. Mirroring nature during this season of introspection allows us to have a time when we can let go. Remembering the warmer and brighter days with gratitude and those we miss. This is a chance to have our time to hibernate, to embrace the darkness and its positive attributes, giving us a chance to reflect. In the more dormant state of the weeks ahead nurturing the space for all that is positive within us to germinate and be ready to reach our full potential when the Spring /light returns.
In these days of November consider investing in these quieter, darker days by participating in some nurturing practices. Perhaps making your own November altar with some leaves, a candle, photographs and anything you are drawn to, spending time putting it together. Lighting your candle and considering you intentions. Enjoying the impact the illuminating effect that a single candle can have. Listening to our bodies and physically taking care of ourselves, revelling in a state of rest when we can. Enjoying the company of others when we get the opportunity. Taking time to be outside, to walk and to move, when we can, really noticing the changing face of nature and particularly paying attention to the trees, who appear to be in a state of suspension knowing it is all part of the self-regulating cycle of growth, abundance, decline and decay.
Suggest practice, walking warrior 1/Virabhradasana 1
Begin by lighting a candle and stand in Tadasana and tuning in.
Taking the right foot forward and back/behind, at first noticing the foot moving and then noticing footprint change/movement and response of feet heel to toe type movement.
Gently sweeping arms forward palms up as foot moves forward and back, palms down and arms gently back as the foot moves back, so it feels gently dynamic.
The left foot stays on the spot its on and responds to opposite side foot/leg movements.
Leave the right foot back/behind and moving to adopt it to Virabhradasana 1.
Tuning into the posture and pausing.
Repeating on the opposing side.
Finishing with Vrksasana, with a nurturing Anjali Mudra held at the heart.
Tadasana