AUTUMN TURNS
MY CAT CURLS
INTO A WARM BALL
There’s something magical in the air when the seasons begin to shift. As the energy and outward expansion of summer start to wind down, a slower pace sets in. Fall is a time of reflection, release, and going inward as nature lets go.
I am a haiku poet, writing and learning about this form of poetry for over 20 years. Haiku has changed how I look at and experience the world. For me, it’s not about writing haiku; it’s about living it.
Haiku, originating in Japan in the 17th century, is one of the shortest forms of poetry. It’s traditionally rooted in the natural world, drawing from the seasons, and uses sensory details to evoke a feeling. Traditional haiku is often written in the present tense, taking you to a place and time, capturing a moment as it’s unfolding. As a way of living, haiku can inspire you to be present and live in harmony with the cycles of nature like our ancestors did thousands of years ago.
Growing up on Vancouver Island has given me the gift of experiencing all four seasons, and a whole lot of rain! I didn’t fully appreciate the wonder and awe of the West Coast until I travelled to different parts of the world and lived in different places. And while all seasons here are beautiful, fall is particularly inspiring.
Early autumn evenings encourage us to unwind, relax, and get ready for sleep and restoration. As the days gradually shorten and the vibrancy of summer disappears, the air becomes crisp and the light in the sky softens. Trees begin to shed their leaves, reminding us of the natural cycle of letting go.
“You can move through all four seasons many times within a single year, a day, an hour, or even within one breath”
Animals prepare for the coming winter; some store food, while others prepare for hibernation. In fall, the earth draws its energy inward, focusing on conservation and preservation.
While nature moves through her four distinct seasons, so too do we move through different seasons of life. Nature’s cycles are cyclical and ours can be too. You can move through all four seasons many times within a single year, a day, an hour, or even within one breath.
My appreciation for the natural seasons inspired me to create seasonal archetypes, ways we can connect what happens in the natural world with what is happening in our own lives. These 12 archetypes, three for each season, offer an invitation to pause and reflect. During each phase of life, a different season will resonate more strongly with us.
Grounded in the wisdom of the seasons, you’re invited to discover your current archetype through a short series of reflective questions.
Whether you’re in a phase of growth, creativity, reflection, or renewal, each archetype gives you insights into how you show up in the world and how to bring more harmony into your days. You can learn your strengths, gifts, challenges, personality traits, colours, crystals, essential oils, and rituals to move through each season with more awareness and flow.
The fall is a beautiful reminder of the cyclical nature of life and the interconnectedness of all things. As the autumnal equinox ushers in the season, bringing shorter days and longer nights, it invites you to be in the natural rhythm of slowing down and nourishing yourself. Fall is a time to reassess your journey, recognize the lessons you’ve learned, and celebrate your achievements, no matter how big or small.
As with haiku, we can find beauty by engaging in the present moment with all our senses. Find ways to enjoy this season, honour the wisdom of the earth, and seek balance to navigate change and transformation. As the world around us prepares for rest, fall invites us to find moments of stillness and connect with our inner world.
Get cozy, pull out your favourite fall sweaters, treat yourself to something pumpkin-spiced, listen to the wind, reflect in your journal or just watch the leaves fall softly through the air. Let this season of transition be a reminder that every ending carries the seeds of a new beginning.
To discover what season of life you’re currently embracing visit everydayhaiku.ca.
DROPS OF WATER
FALL FROM A LEAF…
LETTING GO
