Welcoming cozy autumn days

Autumn is by far my favourite season. Nature clads the landscape with warm toned colours, providing a harsh contrast to the cold seeping in as the night lengthens. As the outside world fills my lungs with cold air and decay, I am greeted by the comfort of cinnamon and candle light inside my home. Autumn provides a beautiful contrast and balance between light and dark, warmth and cold, decay and new beginnings. Where summer feels ever-lasting, autumn has a fleeting nostalgic feeling. 

During autumn I like to reflect on what I need to shed, like the trees shed their leaves. I also like to reflect on any new ventures I might parttake in. The reason why autumn also signifies new beginnings for me, is because every year around september a new school year would start for me and I am filled with newfound motivation, goals and excitement. I used to shed away habits that no longer served me, or find myself in deep isolation and reflection. It also embodies death for me. I often find that during autumn something's gained and something's lost. One door closes and another one opens. This is something I experience around Imbolc too, however this energy is particularly strong during autumn. I would like to invite you to think about what a seasonal energy means to you. 

Autumn also enhances the experience of my favourite activities. For example, I love going on walks in general, it's one of my favourite things to do especially in nature and to explore all the plants growing around me. However during autumn forest walks are a more euphoric and deeper experience as I indulge all my senses. The wind blowing the leaves off the tree as they fall down like a golden rain upon me. The smell of the decaying leaves, mushroom and hint of petrichor from the upcoming rain. The mushrooms leaving a trail around the forest. The sound of the crows as the sun sets early in the evening sky. 

The two main autumnal celebrations are Mabon and Samhain. I will go into more detail on these sabbats in later posts, but I am so looking forward to them. I already was sensing their energies in late august. However, I tried really hard to with hold myself from already setting up a Mabon altar. The minute the first of september hit, I set the altar up and started doing my daily oracle readings. Where Beltane is by far my favourite sabbat, Mabon and Samhain are close seconds. I mean Samhain is basically the autumn version of Beltane, where the veil is also at it's thinnest. I absolutely love the energies of these two sabbats and every year I experience great joy in celebrating them. This year Mabon will be on the 23rd of September in the Netherlands and Samhain ofcourse will partake on the 31st of October. 

I am most looking forward to cozy crafts, reading folklore horror and gothic novels and pulling out my stronger autumn perfumes. I absolutely love Replica By the Fireplace (It smells so much like burning wood) and Dirty Hinoki by Heretic (A muted smoky scent). On top of this, I am also extited to layer my clothes again and really stepping into my style. Although I love the long warm summer days, I just struggle with my fashion style during summer. It is my least favourite season for expressing myself through my style. I am ready for pulling out my favourite sweaters again. 

Every year I create an autumn playlist or update my existing one. Today I'd like to share my playlist with you to maybe help you get into the mood of autumn. It's very specific to me, so many of these songs might not scream autumn to you. Many of these songs are tied to significant memories I've had during autumn and are there to call up that feeling again. 

 

I am so excited for what this season will bring and just love the season a lot. So get ready for a lot of posts regarding autumn.