Finding Answers in the Darkness

This time of year belongs to the unseen—dusty root cellars stocked with apples, the silent arrival of overnight frost and plot twists in the novel we set down while we grab a hot cup of tea. October is a master director, keeping us on the edge of our seats with warm, golden afternoons one moment and dark, rain-streaked windows the next. No wonder it is the month of both playful revels and ancient celebrations honoring the deceased, when Libra and Scorpio share the same astrological time slot, inspiring us to stir a deep cauldron of nostalgia and memory.

The days are shorter, and evenings come with a chill in the air while we look forward to flopping into a favorite chair at the end of the day. Cinnamon-laden quick breads emerge from the oven, ready for eager plates and a pat of butter. Whether we love or hate it, pumpkin spice pops up on store shelves and in coffeehouses, and weekends would be incomplete without a scary movie on the screen. With its many moods, October is a mirror reluctant to reveal its true nature, inspiring us to find ourselves, mainly by delving deeper into common, everyday routines.

Whether we begin a new dream journal, succumb to memories pulling at our sleeve during an unhurried walk, plant narcissus bulbs for next spring or light a candle to accompany a nightly gratitude practice, this is the time to tend to whatever lies beneath the surface. Mid-autumn motivates us to ignite our creative fires, retrieve old watercolors or coloring books, tune a neglected guitar and conjure new recipes. This dark time of the year pulls us inward to forgotten dreams that counterbalance the chaotic daily tango of to-do lists and obligations. It is also an invitation to entertain mystery and be content with not knowing the answers to every riddle.

Marlaina Donato is an author, painter and composer. Connect at WildflowersAndWoodSmoke.com.

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