I can’t believe it is already August! It feels like January was just last week. August for many, is the height of Summer, at the same time August marks the beginning of the harvest season in the Northern Hemisphere, and with it, Autumn. The Celtic Wheel of the Year honors three harvest holidays: Lammas (August 1), Mabon/ the Autumn Equinox (around September 22) and Samhain/ Halloween (October 31). For me this is my favorite time of year. There’s enough light and warmth left to still go hiking, swimming, work in the garden and play. At the same time however, there’s a subtle creeping feeling, that winter is just around the corner. It’s a transition time. Light toward dark, warm to cold, green leaves to orange, red and yellow. I’m looking forward to that first really crisp breeze.
But before the leaves change, and the skies get grey, there’s still a lot to do. Some of the yummiest produce is ready to eat now! Like peaches, summer squash, tomatoes, sweet corn and eggplant. It is an excellent time to begin preparations for the fall and winter. If you pay attention, you’ll notice that there’s a lot of prep that happens in society too. People are getting ready to go back to school, Halloween decorations are starting to appear and businesses are finishing their third quarter and preparing for the last quarter of the year. Heck, some people even start Christmas shopping around this time.
I want to ask you this week, what are you preparing for? What are you calling into your life as we start this harvest season? Think back to January of this year. What were some of your priorities? Are they still priorities for you? If they’ve changed, why? If they’re the same, how’re they going? Not to get too crazy with farm metaphors but what did you sow this spring that’s now ready to harvest? This is a time for gathering, organizing and weeding. Personally I’m getting ready for school, re-budgeting my finances, and should probably clean out my closet and that storage bin I haven’t opened in a year. Like the trees let go their leaves, you too can shed what’s no longer serving you anymore.
From an herbal standpoint, it is a good time to make sure you have what you’ll need this winter. Dry and store your herbs, make fire cider and elder syrup. I’d love to try canning some cherries this year, or maybe some of those Palisade peaches.
Happy harvest season my friend, I’d love to hear what’re you doing to start your season. Let me know by commenting below.
Talk to you soon,
-Rachel