My sister sent me this week's image a while back. I was drawn to it immediately, but couldn't quite find the right moment to feature it until now. Even though she captured the photo during the Summer several years ago, I felt it contains more. Yes, there's a sense of August brightness, but it also contains the bare structure of Winter, as well as the comfort of the Autumn's riches. And thus fits perfectly with the Rudolf Steiner's verse for the Soulful Week 29 from his Calendar of the Soul:
"To fan the spark of thinking into flame
By my own strong endeavor,
To read life's inner meaning
Out of the cosmic spirit's fount of strength:
This is my Summer heritage,
My Autumn solace, and my Winter hope."
(Translated from German by Ruth and Hans Pusch)
As I contemplated the Steiner's words, and digested them through my own life experiences, the following poem arose:
"Autumn weaves intricate
tapestries of life and death,
inviting me to contemplate
the depths of existence.
I honor my Sun's heritage
I forgive the fallen shadows,
hope for new Life through Love."
Autumn is an intriguing time of the year. The fruits of the Earth are plump with the warmth they've been absorbing throughout the Summer's heat. The leaves, turning into vibrant hues of red, orange, and yellow, remind us of the brightness of the season passed. All the while the trees are shedding off their luscious attire, starting to show yet again their bare Winter frame. And farmers know it's time to safely store the gathered abundance for the dark and cold days ahead.
Spring inspires us, nay, pushes us to move forward in the blind faith of a young child. Autumn reveals the transformations in nature and invites us to contemplate. The season is rich, yet stern, interweaving life and death into a tapestry, full of intricate meaning.
We observe the constant changes in life and yearn to comprehend what it all means. As we grow into mature human beings, we may begin to understand the whisperings of the fall. We may hear a familiar chord, reminiscent of our own life's transitions. If we listen carefully, we may discern a glimpse of hidden messages. We may receive a gift from the Universe, a token of confirmation that we are on the right path. These are the proverbial pearls of spiritual wisdom to be gratefully strung into our personal necklace of life. Take out your jewels and admire the bounty you've acquired so far on your earthly journey. Look for the story, your own unique tale in the treasure box of your experience.
What is the underlying thread, the moulin rouge, of your life so far? Allow yourself to slow down during these colorful and crisp Autumn days to find your spiritual chord, resounding ever so slightly in your being's essence.
Over to you, dear Soulful Reader:
What is the underlying thread, the moulin rouge, of your life so far?
This article first appeared on the Soulful Sparks of Inspiration website.