Cooling Off Period

Despite the fact I’m suddenly rugging up as a cold front whips across the State, I do love autumn. The sun is desperately trying to penetrate the grey mantle as the rain tumbles down, bringing life back to the surrounding countryside that not long ago looked as if it would stay parched and barren forever. But of course, the cycle of seasons progresses with amazing regularity, and this one in particular which spells the end of so many things, also holds the key to the rebirth that will happen in several months time.

Summer’s brightness in the garden has faded, flowers have bloomed and died, pruning has begun and we enter the cooling off period of the year. Plant growth slows and the soil loses its warmth, as tree systems retreat inward and concentrate their resources on keeping their core body alive. The extremities are left to fend for themselves, so as their life source is shut off their outer covering begins to die.

But what a death. The colours of autumn are mesmerising, a delight to behold as green leaves turn every shade of yellow, orange and red before their eventual fall to the ground. We run through them like little children, rake them up, toss them on the garden beds or in the compost. What was alive is now dead, but that dead matter enriches the ground, adding nutrients to benefit the new growth to come in springtime.

Many contracts and agreements have a cooling off period, a time to reconsider your decision. Was it reckless, was it made in haste, was it wise financially. We have the opportunity to stop, think, and back out if necessary. Nature doesn’t have that luxury, for the planet revolves on its pre-ordained orbit, giving both northern and southern hemispheres an equal measure of warmth and cold. There’s no time travelling backwards, second guessing or putting off the inevitable, only an ever-onward movement to the next stage in the cycle.

As in nature, we can also find ourselves changing our habits in this period of shutting down and preparing for the cold months to come. For me, tee shirts and summer pants exchange places with jumpers and jeans in the wardrobe, the wood pile increases as evenings curled up in front of the fire arrive, track pants and ugg boots are standard attire as soon as I walk in the door, and making a pot of hearty soup becomes a ritual on the weekends, nourishing me for several days.

Our lives go through seasonal cycles as well, and we would rather avoid the colder ones, when we can feel as dry and dead as the leaves under our feet. We prefer the spring and summer times, when we are filled with new ideas, fresh enthusiasm and energy to take on whatever lies ahead. In any endeavour the lean, cold months will come, when inactivity, lack of inspiration or a certain monotony set in. Rather than be defeated by it, I’ve come to realise the downturn doesn’t spell the end, but is rather a time to take stock, reflect and prepare for the next phase of the journey.

In their death throes

autumn leaves

bursting with life