October Observations

Seasonal Moments as we transition through Autumn

"I'm so glad I live in a world where there are Octobers".  
Anne of Green Gables, Lucy Montgomery.

This quote serves to remind us of the joy of Autumn and the changing seasons.

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Hello my friend

October flew by didn’t it, but not without some significant seasonal changes.  We saw trees shedding their leaves, we felt a drop in the temperature.  Nights are drawing in.

Seasonal observations

The full moon on 17^th October, known as Hunters Moon or Blood Moon was also a Supermoon.  In Native America the Hunters moon was a sign for hunters to begin their preparation for the winter season ahead.

British Summertime ended on 27^th October, so our nights in the Northern Hemisphere are getting longer and daylight hours, shorter. 

How do you feel about the shorter days?  Personally, I love them, it’s time to get out the candles and blankets, cosy up in front of the fire whilst watching a favourite film or series, or read a book.  I know not everyone likes the darker nights though.  I’d love to hear your thoughts. 

We welcomed Samhain on 31^st October.  The official end to harvest season.  Samhain, also known as Halloween or All Hallows’ Eve means Summers End and it is the festival to remember and honour our ancestors.   It signals the start of the dark half of the year. 

It is time to look inwards, to reflect and release.   Observe nature, it is teaching us that letting go is necessary for regeneration.  Leaves are now dropping after their glorious displays of colour, ready for rest and prepare for rebirth in Spring.   

Now is a good time to get your journal out.  Ask yourself what you need to release, to make way for new beginnings, new ideas.

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Four things that made me smile

Visiting the incredible feat of engineering that is the Falkirk Wheel.  It is the only rotating boat lift in the world, connecting the Forth & Clyde canal and the Union canal.  It stands at 35 meters tall and uses the same power as it would to boil eight kettles of water.  The wheel replaces a flight of eleven locks.    

Visiting the intimidating Kelpies.  According to Scottish folklore, the Kelpie is a water creature that can appear on land as a grey or white horse.  It entices its victims to ride on its back, then carries them down below the surface to a watery grave.  Some say that the Loch Ness Monster is a Kelpie.

Northern Lights.  I finally saw the Aurora.  Just before I left for work on the morning of 11^th October, my phone pinged with a notification to say there was a red alert.  So, I swiftly ventured outside.  It was just before 5.30am, the streetlights hadn’t come on yet. 

Disappointingly I couldn’t see anything despite the clear sky.  Often the northern lights are not visible to the naked eye here in the Midlands, but the camera will sometimes pick them up.  So, with all the optimism I could muster, I pointed my phones camera lens in a northerly direction, and low and behold there they were.  Beautiful hues of green and purple.  How truly magnificent. 

Sunrise by the sea.  To my delight we got to watch a beautiful ocean sunrise whilst on holiday in Dunbar.  You can read about it here.

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Books I read in October

Wabi Sabi by Beth Kempton.  A chapter in Beth’s book talks about simplifying one’s home.  Beth phrases this as “Soulful Simplicity”.  What a beautiful way to refer to the action of decluttering and beautifying one’s space.

The Pumpkin Spice Café and The Cinnamon Bun Book Store by Laurie Gilmore.  Books one and two in a series of four (soon to be five next year), based in the small coastal town of Dream Harbour.  Full of Autumn vibes and romance.

Chasing Fog by Laura Pashby.  I can only describe Laura’s book as captivating.  Chasing Fog takes us to all corners of the UK.  We read about the myths and folklore that connect one to the fog.  Laura describes fog as a meditation, a clearing of the mind. 

Films/Series/ YouTube I have enjoyed

Cecilia Blomdahl – Cecilia and her partner live in the most northerly town of Longyearbyen on Svalbard.  Their YouTube channel follows their lives living on an island where they have six months of light and six months of total darkness, referred to as Polar Day and Polar Night.  You can watch a recent video here where Cecilia shares the last week before Polar Night begins.

Harry Potter films (all eight).  Every Autumn we watch the full set of films.  It is a regular Autumn tradition, that normally culminates in the last film on Halloween.  We got slightly behind this time owing to our recent break up in Scotland, so last night we watched the last two. We just love them, don’t you? 

Which is your favourite film?  Mines The Prisoner of Azkaban.

Autumn Crafting

Pumpkin Making.  Every year we decorate the hearth with all things Halloween.  This includes some handmade pumpkins.  I made a few more this year to add to the display. 

If you are a crafter, there are plenty of patterns to be found on Pinterest.  Or you can simply cut out two circular pieces of material, sew them together leaving a gap to stuff them.  Sew up the gap when filled, then with a needle and some thread, push up through the middle, wrap the thread round to the back and push up again in the same place, pulling the thread tightly.  Repeat as many times as you want.  This gives the effect of sections as you see on many pumpkin varieties.  I normally add a button to the middle as well for added effect.  It’s a fun and quick project to do.

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In case you missed them, I published the following blogs in October :-

The Magic of 5am

A fond farewell and new beginnings...

Finding Calm in a Storm

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I wish you a calm and quiet November before the rush of the December festivities begin.

Until next time.

Debbie xx