Tomorrow marks the autumnal equinox. We start to feel a touch of briskness in the mornings, the days start to get shorter, and we might find that our energy starts to gradually level out from the height of summer.
This is also a time to go inward, reflect on the past season, and let things go we know are no longer serving us. It’s the birth of Libra season, which accentuates our needs for balance and harmony. Take this opportunity to explore how you express beauty and love in our everyday lives. What feels good? What feels stagnant or forced?
When we open our hearts to our TRUTH, we heal. This is the season for making decisions that support our truth. Express yourself—through dance, writing, or making love. Your story important; it is medicine for yourself and others.
Here are some practices we recommend to incorporate during this seasonal transition. Take some time this week to pick one or two to focus on for the rest of the fall:
Practice gratitude. This is a great time to reflect on all of the things in our lives that bring us joy. You can start a daily gratitude journal for the fall season or incorporate gratitude in your daily meditation (i.e. think of three things you’re grateful for when you sit down to meditate).
Purge home and to-do lists. This is a great time to decide what you want to shed and what’s worth keeping. Get rid of clothes and books that don’t spark joy. Reconsider relationships and commitments. What do you know it’s time to let go of?
Find a new creative outlet. Things like dance, music, and painting can be especially invigorating during this season. Choose one that calls to you, and practice regularly. After you’ve let go of the old, you’ll find more time and energy to do so.
Support your body with food and herbs. As the temperatures drops, support digestion by replacing the smoothies and raw salad of summer with warmer, nourishing foods. As always, look to nature for the foods and herbs that will support your body through the season. Seasonal produce like root veggies, apples, pears, garlic, onions, turmeric, cinnamon, and ginger are all great choices to incorporate into your meals. I love making a large batch of reishi elderberry syrup (recipe below) to get you through the season. Take 1–2 tablespoons when you feel like you need immune support.
Reishi elderberry syrup recipe (yields about 4 cups):
Materials:
Large pot
Large bowl
Strainer
Cheesecloth
Amber bottles (enough for storing about 32 ounces)
Measuring cup
Labels for bottles
Ingredients:
2 cups dried elderberries
1/2 cup dried reishi
6 cups filtered water
2 inches of fresh ginger root, chopped
2 teaspoons cinnamon powder
1 cup honey
Add chopped ginger, cinnamon powder, reishi, and dried elderberries into the pot.
Add water and bring to a boil, then bring down to a simmer.
Cover and let simmer until water has reduced to about half (about 45 minutes).
Strain using strainer lined with cheesecloth. Once cool enough, wring out cheesecloth to get the most potent liquid.
Write the name of the syrup and the date made on each bottle.
Keep in fridge, and use within three months.
Instant Pot option: Put all ingredients (besides honey) in pot, seal lid, and set manually for 10 minutes on high pressure. Vent pressure manually and strain. Add honey, stir, and put into amber bottles.