The element of autumn is wind. Although all elements are present in each season, the predominant season for wind is autumn. We need it for several things, one being to blow away the leftover leaves from summer so the light can shine down on us in winter.
I used to get really annoyed when it was windy, and I have many friends and colleagues who concur. I recall a colleague complaining about the wind one day and saying, “I just feel like I’m getting pushed around”. Well in a way I guess we are, as our energy bodies are feeling the push and pull of it. I’ve spoken with many teachers and early childhood educators who all agree that the behaviour of children is certainly negatively affected on windy days, some even said they won’t let the children outside or limit the time on days with wind.
Although, in the past, I would do my best to avoid being exposed to the wind, I have recently found a new appreciation for it. This has come from learning that thanks to the wind our trees and plants grow stronger roots. Without the wind and its push-and-pull energy, our trees and plants would simply fall. An artificial environment was set up in Arizona USA, named the Biosphere 2. The trees inside Biosphere 2 grew very quickly, more than they did outside of the dome, but they also fell over before reaching full growth. After looking at the root systems and outer layers of bark, the scientists discovered that a lack of wind in Biosphere 2 caused a lack of ‘stress wood’. The Biosphere 2 had everything an ecosystem required to survive, yet they did not include the element of wind. The result was that the beautiful healthy trees and plants grew, but simply fell over once they reached their peak height. The wind helps plants build resilience by forcing them to grow strong roots that are firmly rooted deep into the earth.
There is a great correlation between the wind in the lives of plants and trees and the likeness of ‘contrast’ in our lives. Contrast is simply the opposite of what we want, showing up to help us figure out what we do want. This contrast we mainly refer to as stress. Stress causes us to build strength and resilience. Short bursts of stress show up as wind in our lives to help us firm our roots just like the trees do. Strengthen your foundations, set your roots, and stand firm and tall, not despite any contrast or interference, but because of it.
Just like the tress we simply do not grow resilience in comfort.
As we now transition into winter it is time to give thanks to autumn and all it has brought through with it. We thank the winds of change for blowing out the old, making way for the light and leaving room for what’s to sprout in spring. The winds of change force us to let go of the old and what no longer serves us. It is helpful to be open and ease into the natural rhythm and flow of the seasons. Nature is our greatest teacher.
Yvette x
P.S. Autumn & Winter can be a great time to work on your Root and Sacral Chakras/energy centres. Keep an eye on our blog for upcoming posts about how to balance these centres.
