Copyright Diana Green 2017.
Momiji-gari’is a word meaning `to go to see autumn leaves’ 紅葉(Momiji) refers to red leaves, and 狩り(gari/kari) refers to `hunting` ref:Astuko Ishikawa.
Rust, red, yellow, crimson, ochre, ginger, burgundy, the colours of Autumn. The symbolism of the season, it is a transitional period of time.
Research indicates that before the 16th Century, this season, now called Autumn or Fall was named “Harvest”. Aki, 秋 in Japanese Kanji, means ‘grain fire’, harvest. This is the season to harvest, to reap, gather and collect our “learning into knowing” from the year. Perhaps the changes that occur in this season are the most profound, as we consciously release the old and make plans for the seasons ahead, allowing for an opening of what is to come.
The trees are full of colour, vibrant energy and life, but this is short lived as we see a mosaic of coloured leaves scatter, like a dance and the wind is the conductor. What are the sounds that fallen leaves make as they scuffle across the ground?
What can we learn when we ‘notice’ this annual ritual displayed in full by ‘Mother Nature’?
When the leaves fall from the trees, it tells us of a time of change, a release of the old, a release of leaves not needed, the dying, with grace the trees are left bare in preparation for Winter.
When we take time to look and see our environment, the clues are all there. As humans we adapt with the patterns of the season, they are a metaphor to guide our life, we begin to notice that different changes naturally occur.
The leaves fall, trees have let go from holding on and we can also let go of what does not serve us, this season provides us space, an opportunity to reflect, to observe, use this time to move and inspire intention, re-aligning and re-forming personal and work life. Like this season, we are not static.
Follow the clues of Autumn, let go and surrender. Then we are free to sleep well into Winter whilst new shoots form in readiness for Spring.
Have you considered the messages that Autumn offers?
How can you integrate these into life, at work and in play?
We cannot see what will come to form, but certainly we will know what has transformed as it occurs in Spring.
A natural way to live, will you make time to notice?