I forget how much I love autumn! The refreshing rain giving nature a new earthy vitality, the Virginia creeper (pictured above) with growing patches of deep red amongst the darkened green, the warmth and smell of the woodburner, the faint aroma of casserole season…  Above all, I love the sense of change afoot, wheels turning, life moving on – sometimes with an inherent sadness, but also sweet anticipation.

In autumn, fruit and leaves drop to the ground, decomposing, composting and ultimately nourishing and remineralising the earth. It’s a time for us also to let go and trust the earth to transform whatever we leave behind – be it happy memories or toxic patterns – into something magical, fresh new life.

Autumn Equinox

The Autumn Equinox next week, and the weeks around it, are an opportunity to observe how well you manage this. Are your fears and stress patterns keeping you tightly coiled, holding on to old toxins, emotions and patterns? Or are you able to give yourself space to just let them all go?

Awesome autumn recipes and tips

Your main organs of elimination are your bowels, skin and lungs, so you can focus some support there. Soothing broths and soups, linseed tea (recipes below) and gentle spices can help moisturise the bowel, calm inflammation and perhaps encourage gentle sweating. Enemas can facilitate the end process of letting go, and help keep the bowel hydrated. If you find yourself catching a cold, rather than suppress it with over the counter medications, take some time to rest and allow your body to cough/sneeze/drip everything out from your lungs and airways. In oriental traditions, pungent foods such as garlic, onions and ginger can be helpful here too. Use these in cooking and make fresh ginger tea.

Vitamin D

If you’re missing the longer, lighter days and your energy is feeling a little less, then try and restructure your week so you have a little more downtime, especially in the evening, or perhaps go to bed a little earlier than usual. Now is also the time to focus on Vitamin D supplementation, as we are moving into the time of year where we can’t make this crucial nutrient from sunshine. I like to take vitamin K2 with my vitamin D3 as it helps with absorption, and K2 also helps put calcium into the bones.