A slow wander, and an equinox tarot spread
A white hand holds a fall leaf of yellow, orange, and red. The holder's shadow is on the ground and green plants circle around.
Suddenly we’re nearing the end of September, and we’ve just passed through the autumn equinox portal. We’re moving through a hinge point of the year, a balanced moment before we turn fully to Fall.
Most mornings and evenings offer a sweet, cool respite. By afternoon, many days still feel summery. While the sun shines, bees fly from one resilient flower to another, feverishly gathering what’s left of pollen. On those here-and-there rainy days, our thoughts may turn to cozy nights with tea and a good book, perhaps a big batch of soup bubbling on the stove.
In this seasonal threshold, you may notice time speeding by - a blur of activity, celebrations, upheavals, routines, and all the moments that make up our everyday and every-year lives.
We’re all doing our best to keep up; so many of us dream of more than just keeping up. We want time for real presence and connection. Our hearts long for rest, renewal, and relationship with the cycles and beings that have always shaped human lives.
If you’d like to take a little time at this threshold to notice and be with the season, here’s an invitation:
Go for an easy wander - this might be at a nearby park, around your block, in your own backyard, or in a forest outside of the city.
As you wander, you might like to try walking very slowly. Slow walking can feel strange or even uncomfortable if you’re used to moving quickly. I hear from people all the time how different and ultimately helpful it is to move this way. Moving slowly can allow the heart rate and nervous system to relax, and offers the chance to see what we wouldn’t otherwise (and hear, feel, and experience the unexpected, too).
As you slowly wander, bring your attention to the heart. You may like to place a hand on your chest, to really bring focus there.
With your attention, you may notice that your heart is calling you in a particular direction. Perhaps you’ll feel called to move toward a tree or another nature being, or maybe just continue to wander.
Because we’re in this time of light and dark in balance, you might like to especially notice them. Where do sunrays break through branches? How do shadows move across the ground, trees, your hands and face? What does the dark and the light evoke in you?
While you move, notice your breathing. Is it deep and slow, or short and shallow, landing in the upper chest? If your body asks for deeper breaths, you might try simply sighing.
Because we’re not forcing anything here, sighing can be a more accessible and gentle way to take a deep breath. Try sighing as if you feel particularly content. As you sigh, allow your face to soften. Perhaps see if you can bring a slight smile to the mouth and eyes.
Sigh as many times as you wish - this is your time, your wander, your breath and body.
As we move into autumn, and the world continues to turn, may this simple practice offer you some ease, care, and nourishment.
Something special for the equinox - a tarot (or oracle card) spread
In my Grief Care practice, we often work with tarot cards and sometimes oracle cards. There are different ways to work with these tools: for divination; to connect with spiritual guidance; for reflection and to access our own wisdom; or all of the above. If you have a tarot or oracle deck, you can use this (and any other) spread in whatever way most resonates for you.
1st card: What can the light teach me during this time?
2nd card: What can the dark teach me during this time?
3rd card: What can I leave behind as I step over this seasonal threshold?
4th card: What might I cultivate in the season to come?
I hope this spread is supportive for you. As always, I love to hear your thoughts, questions, suggestions, and anything else you have to share!
