Autumnal reflections

How the season has slowly taken on a new meaning...

“Autumnal Reflections” / Photograph: Elizabeth Hitchman

The changing of the seasons and its ethereal beauty never ceases to ignite joy in my heart. It’s at this time of year that my daily walks on half-island Au take on an autumnal glow.

In walking distance of home, the nearby protected woodland makes for the perfect spot to embrace nature’s healing powers along with nurturing my creative spirit.

Daily walks within this beloved place has enabled me to blend my love for nature and artistic expression – leading me to gather these delicate fallen leaves and turn them into a montage. A visual record of autumn’s natural beauty.

Autumn leaves montage - Elizabeth Hitchman

Over the past year, October has taken on a deeper meaning - since it’s the month when we buried my mother. She enjoyed autumn, halloween, and would make time to decorate the hearth with gourds - her love for all things mystical shining through.

The glow of a lit pumpkin ignites my inner-mystic - a ritual lovingly passed on from my mum. How poetic that she was laid to rest on 31st October, All Hallows’ Eve.

Many moons ago, my Irish-born maternal grandmother passed away on 1st November, the day after halloween. l can’t help yet feel a spiritual connection here, especially at this time of year - a mother and daughter reunited, all within the realms of light we cannot see.

Last week saw me spending precious days with my Dad, and sisters. We lovingly raised a glass in my mother’s memory, lit a candle, and tenderly watched its glow - soothing my healing heart during Samhain, where the veil appears at its thinnest .

Reflecting on my daily morning walks, and in my memory of my beloved mother, l would like to share this quote - a childhood favourite from Anne of Green Gables.

– “I’m so glad I live in a world where there are Octobers” – L. M. Montgomery.

Nature notes

Further reading recommendation which l find personally inspiring:

The Country Diary of an Edwardian Lady by Edith Holden

The Wild Remedy: How Nature Mends Us – A Diary by Emma Mitchell

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Podcast

In a recent podcast conversation with The Wilderness of Creativity , we touched on the subject of grief, and how nature’s healing balm can provide solace - a reconnection to self, and creativity. To listen to this episode, click on the link:

https://the-wilderness-of-creativity.captivate.fm/episode/seeing-the-invisible-line

(Thank you Lucy Colgan for the wonderful invitation to be a guest speaker. Your gentle approach made it a soulful experience)