Seasons change; as within, so without
Do you change with the seasons?
I know I do.
As a Gemini Sun I sometimes get assumptions that I am either two faced, or split personality. This isn’t a fair assessment of Gemini traits, and it’s a bit insensitive.
But I will say there is some truth in double personas. Some of my biggest strength comes from my ability to see two sides of a situation, and my ability to embrace change. This also gives me two aesthetics and ways of presenting myself to the world.
As soon as the seasons change from summer to fall, I begin to shift my focus from light to dark.
When it’s summer, I am full of light. I take every opportunity to bask in the sun when I can. I enjoy bright colours, and like to wear things that compliment my blonde hair. I am bohemian and hippie in my style, and wear lots of flowing dresses. I listen to a lot of classic rock, and stoner metal. During the Summer months I tend to focus on fairy and plant magic, and I love to tend to my plants and see them grow.
When the cool air starts in the evenings, and the days get shorter leading up to the Fall Equinox, my whole aesthetic changes. I begin to shift my focus to the beauty in darkness. I am more productive in the evenings during the fall months, I start to wear only black or dark grey, with my black hat and scarves. My makeup changes from natural, to cat eye and bold lip. I start to listen to dark ambient music and atmospheric soundscapes. My magical practice starts to focus on ancestors, spirits, and the moon.
Autumn is my favourite season, probably because I love all the colours and coziness the season brings, along with my favourite occasion; Samhain / Halloween. I’m a big horror nerd to begin with so when October hits I watch pretty much only horror movies and shows. Going to fall markets is another one of my favourite things to do, and finding new haunted houses or mazes are super fun to do as well.
If you follow any of my social accounts you’ve probably noticed a change in aesthetic. My photos are much darker in colour that those I posted in June and July. And it’s a fine balance for me to keep my brand accessible to my followers, not everyone is comfortable with darkness.
Even though there is much to be learned from our own darkness and how we show it or integrate it into our lives. You may have herd of shadow work, a term referring to the process of identifying ‘negative’, unwanted or suppressed personality traits. Shadow work is powerful medicine, and although it might sound scary it’s actually a way for us to access our true selves. By integrating our shadow into our light, we are allowing our true desires and needs to be met. When we suppress shadow, we set ourselves up for resentment, anger, depression, guilt, regret, shame, and lashing out at the people unnecessary.
I think there is some relation to the attraction to dark aesthetic and shadow work. Society tell us that black is evil, that it’s a sign of death. And that we shouldn’t like it.
But what about protection, neutrality, grounding, and depth? Black is those things too.
October and Halloween is an important time of year, not only for pagans but for everyone. Because it makes social acceptable what normally is not: Darkness. Dressing up for Halloween for some people many be the only time they feel they can be themselves, dressed in a ‘costume’. For others Halloween is an excuse to integrate their Shadow into how they present themselves, dressed up in a way that would normally raise some eyebrows.
For example, it’s theme for women to dress very scandalous and revealing on Halloween. There is a ‘sexy’ option for just about any costume. But have you ever thought about why so many women take the opportunity to dress this way on this date? It’s because women have been shamed for their sexuality. Women have been told that they can’t dress a certain way or they will be considered a slut. A woman celebrating her body and sexuality on Halloween is her way of integrating a shadow aspect of herself into her personality. This may be the only day of the year she can fully express herself and her sexuality without being judged by society.
The change of season brings with it a change in us, it is good to experience a full spectrum of colour. Summer and Spring is a great time of abundance, fertility, growth, creativity and passion. Fall and Winter is time of reflection, release, being thankful, and endings. We can work with and follow the flow of the seasons and use the energies they bring into our own lives.
Some people say they hate winter, or that they want to move somewhere warm all year round. I could never do this, for me it is unnatural. I could not imagine a winter without snow, or a summer all year round. My own personal energy is connected to the seasons and the changes they bring. And as we get closer to the Autumn Equinox and the pagan celebration of Mabon, I can notice the changing energies. I celebrate and welcome the coming of a new season and new direction that it brings. The darkness we are about to enter only has knowledge to share, it is not something to be feared or shunned, it should be acknowledged and brought to the surface, even if it’s just for a month or a night. Bring to light your darkness, and enjoy the beauty this season brings.
As within, So without.
B.B
Sara.