Sunday, September 23, 2012

AUTUMNAL EQUINOX HAPPENINGS

I love this time of year!! I can feel it coming for weeks before it actually officially arrives, but Autumn and all it brings with it is one of my most favorite times of the year.

Yesterday, there were so many things to choose from I had a hard time deciding which to participate in and which to bypass. But the Pet Parade at The Flower Farm is always so special that I had to take a trip down there with my camera in hand and snap a few photos of the great animals.


Some people might object to dressing up animals but looking at most of these animals yesterday, I don't think any of these minded it one bit! There was a black cat with a chicken hat on. Cats and birds don't usually get along so well. Not so yesterday!


Annie and John Bowler's dog loves to get dressed up. Annie told me that she sits on the counter-top just waiting to be dressed and dances and parades around as if she is a real show dog.


This great black and white dog didn't mind a bit either, as far as I could tell. I never noticed her shaking her head to rid herself of the hat nor pulling on  the leash to get away. Somehow I think they know they are dressed up and "looking good". This dog is the "Honey Boo Boo" of the parade I think.



After I left the Pet Parade I stopped by the Farmer's Market that happens weekly in town and noticed this Emu in the back of a horse trailer. It was more than happy to have me take its photo. It was fun to see this great face appear out the side of the trailer just as I was walking by. It's definitely not a sight you see everyday, even if you live in the country.

Since it was the Autumnal Equinox, the Spirit Drum Circle was held at Eden Valley Cottage just down the road from where I live. It was great to get together with a group of like-minded people, chant, drum, sing songs, tell stories, and sit by a camp fire. Eden Valley Cottage is one of the most spiritual places and always feels so blessed and special when you are there. A calm passes over you as you walk, drum in hand, over the wooden bridge toward the camp fire and greet the rest of the circle. We passed around the Talking Stick and each of us was allowed to say what was on our minds and our hearts. I felt truly blessed to be in the presence of such wonderful people. I am looking forward to the Winter Solstice in December. 

This time of year---the Equinox---is certainly a special time of year. I love that the root of the word stands for equality, for balance, for tranquility of mind or mood. 

Our wish at the campfire was for equality for all human beings, for love and compassion to all, for health and happiness for all. It is good to be in the presence of people who want to celebrate the moon, the stars (campfires in the sky of our ancestors), the frogs who seem to be developing a resistance to what is plaguing their existence, the crickets whose voice was so prominent in the background, the sacred owl, and LOVE. 

"Tell me, what is it that you plan to do 
With your one wild and precious life?"

Mary Oliver  "The Summer Day"

4 comments:

  1. ha how fun...i dunno i dont think the cat looks happy...the dogs maybe but not the cat...mine would probably scratch me to death in my sleep...smiles...all for your wish as well...smiles....the emus look like dinosaurs to me...

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  2. What a wonderful wish at your campfire!

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  3. oh it is coming...finally
    I forgot about the equinox..oh dear
    I usually celebrate...so much going on here
    thanks for the reminder...I did notice how bright the moon was last night..and the crickets strange long call
    so maybe I did celebrate
    love the pet parade

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  4. Yes... this weather is changing. It's cool at night and even though it's still hot during the day... it's a different heat and it disappears quickly in the evening. I love Fall.
    The Pet Parade looks like fun. The Emu in the trailer is a great photo. Love that face.
    I hear the crickets and frogs too at night.
    It's a good feeling knowing that nature is as happy about the changing seasons as we are.
    Nice post.

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