#6/8. For me, this sixth ritual — out of eight nature rituals — is about pausing, looking back at the past months, and finding balance and harmony for the time ahead. 🐾
The little reading dog in the picture stands as a symbol of thankfulness — a gentle reminder that everything still growing in the forest and meadows now belongs to nature and the animals as they prepare for winter. 🌿 It’s the moment when the gardener, the wanderer, the observer steps back, allowing the cycle of life to continue on its own.
Beside it, the olive branch represents the harvest of almost-ripe olives — a quiet celebration of what has matured, what is ready to be gathered, and what will soon rest. It also carries its timeless message of peace, an invitation to make peace with ourselves and with the pace of time.
On the charcoal, I burned a delicate blend from @lab.danum: cocoa shells, tonka bean, fennel, labdanum, and nutmeg — warm, earthy, and comforting. As the smoke curled upward, it carried with it a sense of release — of letting go, while grounding deeply in gratitude.
What am I truly grateful for from these past months — what have I accomplisheh?
Personally, this summer was rich with fresh energy and many joyful moments — long evenings, warm laughter, and inspiration. Yet, there were also times when I reached the edge of my strength. Phases that reminded me of my limits, of the importance of rest, and of making decisions that not everyone would agree with.
With age, I’ve learned something invaluable: it’s not about pleasing everyone, but about remaining true to myself — without harshness, without surprise, simply with kindness. There’s a softness in that realization, a gentleness that grows with time. Saying no becomes less about refusal and more about respect — for myself, for others, for balance.
Three Reflections for the Turning Season
💭 What am I truly grateful for from these past months — what have I accomplished?
💭 Where in my life do I need more balance and harmony — where do I choose to look, and where do I choose not to? ☯️😏
💭 For what do I ask protection, blessing, and guidance as I step into the darker half of the year?
Time to pause
May this ritual inspire you to pause, breathe, and embrace the beauty of transition — that tender space between gratitude and becoming. 🌕
As the days grow shorter and the air turns crisp, I wonder — what are you choosing to carry forward into the darker months, and what are you ready to lay down with peace?
