When the air turns a little cooler and the sun sets a little earlier, a feeling arises within each of us. It is an enchanting time, the autumn season, especially here in New England. As the October chill begins to nip at our fingers and nose, we reach out to the warming teas and ciders to comfort us from within. Sweaters and scarves begin their migration from the depths of our closets and back to our bodies. Giggles of excitement can be heard throughout the orchards. The silvery morning mists rise from the earth as the blades of grass cling to their last days of green, preparing for their own descent into the depths of the earth. There is something to be said about the misty breath of an early October morning as it shrouds the weather worn, moss covered tombstones of centuries old cemeteries of our ancestors. The scents of apple pies and pumpkin spice are everywhere. We couldn’t escape them, even if we tried. But who would want to?
During this time of year, there is an enchantment within the light. The golden rays reflecting through the changing red-orange leaves against the blue-grey sky, brings a welcoming spirit that holds a familiar feeling for me that I just cannot place. It is as if we have met somewhere before, perhaps another time or place. Time seems to slow down and almost stand still as I open my heart to it, receiving a warm comfort through a simple acknowledgement. Crows cackle and grackles swarm as they join me in the delight of the moment. The wind then kicks up the fallen, brittle leaves giving them life once more. They spin and spin within the spiraling concave as if they were compelled by an unseen force. To the rational mind, one would laugh and point out that it is merely the wind. However, to the trained eye, to the open heart and magickal soul, we know that something bigger is at play here. Something that knows it cannot be held by the human constructs of time and space. It smiles at the puffed-up human egos rationalizing the unseen force they simply call ‘wind’. There are powers greater than what the human mind can perceive. It calls. It dances. It rises and falls. It is what binds us all together, whether we choose to believe it or not. It is the thread that weaves through each heart and mind, granting reunion in our souls.
Day to day, we move through this life. We have experiences of joy and pain, hope and fear, love and loss. When you peel back those experiences, are you moving through them or are you engaging with energies that rise up to greet you? This may seem like an odd question, I know. However, if you took a moment to reflect, can you feel the energies around you at the office just as you can feel the energy of the golden light, the warm colors of the changing leaves, and even the icy fingers stirring an icy wind? There are so many of us that wait for October to arrive. The feeling of autumn brings a comfort, yet at the same time, we call it the ‘spooky season’. Maybe it is because those who do not practice the art of magick can feel and experience it for themselves. We as a collective sense something around us, leading us to find those places within ourselves where we may not want to tread. Scary stories allow us to tap into things that have been taboo. They also allow us drop our preconceived thoughts and simply let go. By seeking what is just beyond the veil, we are acknowledging that there are forces out there greater than us. Although we may scare ourselves in the process, both the novice and the seasoned witch, this is a time where spirits and the ‘unseen things’ are part of the ‘norm,’ revealing to us a wonderfully mastered play that we are a part of.
There is a sense of curiosity and caution when we engage with something that is unseen and unknown. Just as our ancestors knew that autumn held a special energy, it continues to reverberate through time, echoing in our bones and calling out to us through the sound of fallen leaves scattering across a sidewalk. It is the whisper we hear as we go about our day. It is the sense of a loved one who has passed, holding us as we struggle to decide what we should do next. It is the embrace we feel, even though we are alone with tears in our eyes, questioning why we keep lighting candles when the world just seems too big to help and we are so small. When we allow ourselves the chance to carefully open up, we are engaging with those energies around us. We are an active participant. We are all connected. There is magick in those connections and within ourselves. Perhaps we are realizing it for the very first time. However, October is not the only magickal month that we share. Yes, it generally accepted as the most magickal month, but every month holds its own special vibration. There is the silence and stillness of winter, the rebirth of spring, and fertility through the blessings of summer. Of course, there is much, much more to it than that. Magick is everywhere. And we hold that magick within us as well.
Now is the time to dance with the energies that surround us. Now is the time to breathe life into the mysteries we seek. Now is the time to reach out to touch and be touched by our loved ones who have gone before us. Now is the time to remember that we have a voice and the ability to do good works and make magick. Now is the time to remember that magick does exist and it flows within our blood and breath and flesh and bone. We are the ones who we have been waiting for. We are the ones who can see what it true when we tune into ourselves and embrace our hearts. We are the ones who can see and feel the peace within ourselves and birth it out into the world. We are the magick. It has not died. It did not fade away. It awaits within and is reaching out to be embraced once more. To ignite the inner flame that guides us all only requires us to remember that it is there. It exists and always has. Our connection to it allows that beautiful flame to burn bright so we may encourage others to embrace theirs as well, spooky season or not. So, I encourage you to light those candles and sing those family songs. Remember the connections we have as a member of our shared history and humanity. Energy is all around us. We can reach out to it when we need help and when we want to rejoice. October is a magickal month and we are the magick that we have been waiting for. You simply must acknowledge it and open the door to walk through to the other side.
Be well today and take care of each other,
Renee Bedard ~ The Whispering Crow
The Whispering Crow 