Serendipity of the Autumn Equinox

In the other gardens
And all up the vale,
From the autumn bonfires
See the smoke trail!

Pleasant summer over
And all the summer flowers,
The red fire blazes,
the gray smoke towers.

Sing a song of seasons!
Something bright in all,
Flowers in the summer
Fires in the fall!

~ Robert Louis Stevenson, Autumn Fires

Ooh....there is magic in the air today! Do you feel it? I woke up this morning, checked my email and I just felt that things were falling into place in just the right way for such a special day. First up was the 'Photo of the Day' that I get in my inbox from a photography website. And today's image was this incredible shot of an Owl Family by Kathy Cline which is posted below. I've never seen that many owls in one place...this shot is fantastic! And knowing as you may, how much I adore owls, I thought this was a perfect sign that today was going to be an extra special day. Then I receive a notice from a Blog called 'Etsy Stalker'. I've not heard of this blog before, but apparently they are 'stalking' me today. Well not literally of course...but they are 'stalking' or including my artwork "Autumn Equinox" in their post today on the Autumn Equinox. My piece is the 6th item in their list. How great is that? Thank you oh stalkers of the Etsy world. You picked one of my favorite pieces to showcase on one of my favorite days of the year. So on this most special of days, serendipity rules. I just love serendipity, don't you?

Oh....and the image above that accompanies the poem Autumn Fires by Robert Louis Stevenson, is an image I shot in New Hampshire. While driving through the countryside, we came across this small river rambling through the beautiful fall foliage and when I saw the bridge just down the way, I knew I had to photograph it. If I were there right now, I'd pack up an Autumn feast and spend my day sitting right there on that bank. That's one reason New England itself is so magical...because you can find these incredible vistas around every corner. My heart is wedded to that area....I think I must have lived there in a past life.
So yes, today marks the much anticipated Autumn Equinox. The day I wait for all year long because it marks the return of the season that is most deeply rooted in my soul. This seasonal day of celebration reminds us all of the importance of 'balance'....balance in our lives, in nature, in our world! To everything there is a season....a time to reap, a time to sow, a time to live, a time to die. That's also my favorite Bible verse, the one that makes the most sense out of life, in my opinion. And for me, this is the theme of the Autumn Equinox....a balance of light and dark. Life is a continual balancing act between light and dark, but everything flows better in life when it's kept in balance.It's also a time to take stock and be grateful for all the blessings we have, all the people whom we love and love us, and for the beauty and bounty that nature provides for us. At no other time during the year, is the beauty of nature more on display than during the Autumn season. (I took the image above across a field behind my house. This Autumn hued sunset was breathtaking and it reminded me of a gorgeous Indian Summer.) So take time today to get outside and soak in what it means to be alive. Embrace Summer's departure and Autumn's arrival. Go for a hike, have a picnic outdoors, or hang lanterns outside under the stars tonight in honor of the Moon Festival. Whatever you do to mark the day on your calendar...be sure to languish in the glory of the Autumn Equinox.

Autumn images copyright Wendy A.
Owl image copyright Kathy C.
(All Rights Reserved)