For a long time I've wanted to incorporate more ritual in my life - Thank you for this beautiful piece and the inspiration! I just realized yesterday I haven't decorated the house for fall yet - it's about time to get out the bouquets of coloured leaves, mushrooms and pumpkins! Also, I love carving a pumpkin on Samhain and burn a candle in it all night 🎃
Only just getting around to reading this but feel like I needed it! It's been a hectic few weeks so this was a really great read to remind me I should take a moment to appreciate this time of year I love. I'll be taking a moment to light candles and put up my autumnal decorations this week - thank you! I also love going for a hike and noticing the changing season, so need to plan one of those in. Loved this (your seasonal decorated tree is fab!) - Jess x
These sound like wonderful rituals. I love a candle as the nights darken and walking is always a great way to spend time. Hope life has slowed down enough for you to build them in. :) x
Such lovely writing. You've inspired me to make some rituals of my own. This is my first Autumn living in our new home by the sea and not working. I finally have the luxury of having plenty of time just for me. The obvious one is to wrap up and go for a walk on the beach. Breath in that salty, fresh air and explore for beach treasures. Candles are a must. I've just discovered a small Scottish company that has a candle called Vintage Books, perfect for snuggling under a cosy blanket with a good book. Maybe a collection of Cornish ghost stories. Perfect for this time of the year!
All of those things sound wonderful. I particularly like the sound of a walk on the beach but the Vintage Books candle is definitely something I am going to explore! Congratulations on your new home; I hope it brings you many happy new rituals!
I think definitely treat yourself. I’ve got the Cafetiere one for the kitchen but thinking of getting the Wild Munro one. It’s lovely too to support small businesses. x
I need allll the cosy rituals please!! 🥰🍂 I loved reading this and then getting a glimpse into what you will do for yourself. Thank you so much for sharing! I'm not quite sure when I started, but over the last several years, I've been a lot more intentional with how I go about my days and have had little rituals to support me with whatever I had to nurture during that time. I had a season where I always did a Full & New Moon ritual to anchor in my energy and get a better understanding of what was happening. I slowly stopped and only do this when I feel really called to do something more elaborate. I find that I can easily make rituals a tad too detailed and can use the entire day to do all the things, especially if self care is involved, haha.
Little things I'd love to do on a daily basis is to feel cosy and have candles lit. I also love choosing which mug I'll use for my daily coffee each morning & journaling to notice the wonders in the present moment, but also to give the many ponderings I can have a place to rest. And to do at least 10-15 minutes of yoga or a flow to support my nervous system. This next thing doesn't happen daily, but trying out new recipes and making the tried and true ones are a big part of my rituals in this season as well.One thing I'd love to add now is to be a lot more consistent with reading this season and let it become an anchor point for rest as the day come to an end. 🥰🍂 xx
These all sound wonderful! I especially like the one about reading as an end point to the day. I try to do that too. Stop looking at a screen and sit with a paper book to bring the day to a close. I also love the sound of your yoga - I have just joined an online class so I can’t wait to give it a go. Intrigued by your New and Full Moon rituals - what do they entail?
Greetingsss!! I got swept away with art and life and haven't had a lot of time to properly twirl by again 🙏 How are you liking yoga so far? 😊 Ohh when it comes to the Full and New Moon rituals, the most simple thing that I do is checking in what my intentions are and what worked and what didn't. Sometimes I journal on it, other times, I just quietly sit for a few minutes and realign myself.
The main energy around a Full Moon is often aimed at endings, completion, so you can check in with what you can let go of or what you've completed for yourself. New Moon's main energy is aimed at planting seeds, what you'd love to nurture, what do you like to call in, new intentions etc. If you go a step further, you can also take the sign the moon is in as each sign has its own energy imprint as well.
When I do a more elaborate moon ritual, I often have specific questions that I'll journal on, light candles, incense and pull oracle cards. But I haven't done this in months though as I often sit behind my desk for like 2hrs when I do this, haha.
Thanks for this lovely post, Victoria! I've been thinking a lot this past week about how I could bring more small celebrations into my life to mark the changing seasons and this has given me some great ideas to elevate things I already do and recognise them more consciously as rituals.
Thank you for reading, Ali! I’m so glad it has inspired you. I’ve found it really helpful to elevate some of the usual things I do amidst the humdrum of the week to ritual status - it’s a nice counterpoint to the obligations of the everyday.
Definitely! Most of the autumn rituals I look forward to are food-based (picking apples from our tree and then making mincemeat for Christmas baking; preserving fruit and veg, etc) - but I love the idea of elevating reading into something cosy and more considered!
I love a food-based ritual too; it's pouring with rain here so I'm considering making the first apple crumble of the season. Making your own mincemeat sounds wonderful. Is it easy? I've thought about it for the past few years but it always seemed a bit overwhelming so I chickened out!
Mincemeat is super easy to make and you can generally substitute in things that you like and/or have available very easily - I swear by Pam Corbin's mincemeat recipe (https://www.rivercottage.net/recipes/apple-ginger-and-pear-mincemeat) - I've made it every year for about 15 years! And it makes the house smell amazing when it's cooking!!
Ah this was such a lovely post to read on equinox eve. And I agree about the importance of rituals. At this time of year I am called to dahlias and pumpkins and having both in the house. Also eating apple crumble and cottage pie! We also have so many asters in the garden that I would love to bring some indoors, perhaps creating an autumnal altar of some description. I love your autumn tree! xx
I’m seeing dahlias everywhere this year and I need to get involved - they are so beautiful and the colours are wonderful. I can’t wait to see what you do with your autumnal altar - I’m sure it will be gorgeous. I need to make a crumble - it’s pouring here this morning so perfect crumble weather. 😁 xx
We have had an unusually long summer, the first warm sunny days in May already and even today it’s warm enough to be in a dress. It’s very beautiful now, lots of green, flowers still blooming and apple trees full of apples. There is a prediction of drop in temperature. Somehow feels right to signal the arrival of fall.
Sounds gorgeous! I love it when the apples start to appear on the trees. Signals the coming of autumn, as you say, and crumble season! Is there an apple dessert tradition in Estonia too?
A lovely read ☺️ Autumn is my favourite time of year! I guess my ritual would be the use of the slow cooker, it really gets some hammer at this time of year and I LOVE it 😀
Oowww that's a tough one, I don't think you can beat a good stew in the slow cooker but I also like chilli and curry done in them too! What about you? X
Oooh yes, I love a stew! I make a spag bol in mine. It’s completely inauthentic and an Italian would be horrified but it’s my ultimate comfort food. 😂 X
For a long time I've wanted to incorporate more ritual in my life - Thank you for this beautiful piece and the inspiration! I just realized yesterday I haven't decorated the house for fall yet - it's about time to get out the bouquets of coloured leaves, mushrooms and pumpkins! Also, I love carving a pumpkin on Samhain and burn a candle in it all night 🎃
How is the decorating going? Pumpkin carving is great fun! I’ve only done it once - on a trip to stay with friends in the US - but I loved it.
Only just getting around to reading this but feel like I needed it! It's been a hectic few weeks so this was a really great read to remind me I should take a moment to appreciate this time of year I love. I'll be taking a moment to light candles and put up my autumnal decorations this week - thank you! I also love going for a hike and noticing the changing season, so need to plan one of those in. Loved this (your seasonal decorated tree is fab!) - Jess x
These sound like wonderful rituals. I love a candle as the nights darken and walking is always a great way to spend time. Hope life has slowed down enough for you to build them in. :) x
Such lovely writing. You've inspired me to make some rituals of my own. This is my first Autumn living in our new home by the sea and not working. I finally have the luxury of having plenty of time just for me. The obvious one is to wrap up and go for a walk on the beach. Breath in that salty, fresh air and explore for beach treasures. Candles are a must. I've just discovered a small Scottish company that has a candle called Vintage Books, perfect for snuggling under a cosy blanket with a good book. Maybe a collection of Cornish ghost stories. Perfect for this time of the year!
All of those things sound wonderful. I particularly like the sound of a walk on the beach but the Vintage Books candle is definitely something I am going to explore! Congratulations on your new home; I hope it brings you many happy new rituals!
Thank you. The candle company is called Gold Moss.
Oooh I’ve just had a look. Think I might treat myself. The Scottish Woodland one also sounds wonderful.
I think definitely treat yourself. I’ve got the Cafetiere one for the kitchen but thinking of getting the Wild Munro one. It’s lovely too to support small businesses. x
I need allll the cosy rituals please!! 🥰🍂 I loved reading this and then getting a glimpse into what you will do for yourself. Thank you so much for sharing! I'm not quite sure when I started, but over the last several years, I've been a lot more intentional with how I go about my days and have had little rituals to support me with whatever I had to nurture during that time. I had a season where I always did a Full & New Moon ritual to anchor in my energy and get a better understanding of what was happening. I slowly stopped and only do this when I feel really called to do something more elaborate. I find that I can easily make rituals a tad too detailed and can use the entire day to do all the things, especially if self care is involved, haha.
Little things I'd love to do on a daily basis is to feel cosy and have candles lit. I also love choosing which mug I'll use for my daily coffee each morning & journaling to notice the wonders in the present moment, but also to give the many ponderings I can have a place to rest. And to do at least 10-15 minutes of yoga or a flow to support my nervous system. This next thing doesn't happen daily, but trying out new recipes and making the tried and true ones are a big part of my rituals in this season as well.One thing I'd love to add now is to be a lot more consistent with reading this season and let it become an anchor point for rest as the day come to an end. 🥰🍂 xx
I'm not always the best to do all I'd love to do
These all sound wonderful! I especially like the one about reading as an end point to the day. I try to do that too. Stop looking at a screen and sit with a paper book to bring the day to a close. I also love the sound of your yoga - I have just joined an online class so I can’t wait to give it a go. Intrigued by your New and Full Moon rituals - what do they entail?
Greetingsss!! I got swept away with art and life and haven't had a lot of time to properly twirl by again 🙏 How are you liking yoga so far? 😊 Ohh when it comes to the Full and New Moon rituals, the most simple thing that I do is checking in what my intentions are and what worked and what didn't. Sometimes I journal on it, other times, I just quietly sit for a few minutes and realign myself.
The main energy around a Full Moon is often aimed at endings, completion, so you can check in with what you can let go of or what you've completed for yourself. New Moon's main energy is aimed at planting seeds, what you'd love to nurture, what do you like to call in, new intentions etc. If you go a step further, you can also take the sign the moon is in as each sign has its own energy imprint as well.
When I do a more elaborate moon ritual, I often have specific questions that I'll journal on, light candles, incense and pull oracle cards. But I haven't done this in months though as I often sit behind my desk for like 2hrs when I do this, haha.
Thanks for this lovely post, Victoria! I've been thinking a lot this past week about how I could bring more small celebrations into my life to mark the changing seasons and this has given me some great ideas to elevate things I already do and recognise them more consciously as rituals.
Thank you for reading, Ali! I’m so glad it has inspired you. I’ve found it really helpful to elevate some of the usual things I do amidst the humdrum of the week to ritual status - it’s a nice counterpoint to the obligations of the everyday.
Definitely! Most of the autumn rituals I look forward to are food-based (picking apples from our tree and then making mincemeat for Christmas baking; preserving fruit and veg, etc) - but I love the idea of elevating reading into something cosy and more considered!
I love a food-based ritual too; it's pouring with rain here so I'm considering making the first apple crumble of the season. Making your own mincemeat sounds wonderful. Is it easy? I've thought about it for the past few years but it always seemed a bit overwhelming so I chickened out!
Mincemeat is super easy to make and you can generally substitute in things that you like and/or have available very easily - I swear by Pam Corbin's mincemeat recipe (https://www.rivercottage.net/recipes/apple-ginger-and-pear-mincemeat) - I've made it every year for about 15 years! And it makes the house smell amazing when it's cooking!!
Oooh thank you - I will definitely give this a go this year! 😁
A beautiful post, thank you ❤️🍂
Thank you for reading Kate and welcome! 😁
Ah this was such a lovely post to read on equinox eve. And I agree about the importance of rituals. At this time of year I am called to dahlias and pumpkins and having both in the house. Also eating apple crumble and cottage pie! We also have so many asters in the garden that I would love to bring some indoors, perhaps creating an autumnal altar of some description. I love your autumn tree! xx
I’m seeing dahlias everywhere this year and I need to get involved - they are so beautiful and the colours are wonderful. I can’t wait to see what you do with your autumnal altar - I’m sure it will be gorgeous. I need to make a crumble - it’s pouring here this morning so perfect crumble weather. 😁 xx
They are total beauties! Thank you, I will keep you posted as the autumnal altar takes shape...! And yes today was a perfect crumble day! xx
Beautifully written! You have inspired me to create my own new ritual as Autumn draws in🍂
So exciting! Looking forward to hearing all about when I see you in October. 😁 x
You have clearly thought through the transition from summer to fall. Tomorrow is going to be a beautiful day.
I hope it is beautiful in Estonia too, Terje! 🥰
We have had an unusually long summer, the first warm sunny days in May already and even today it’s warm enough to be in a dress. It’s very beautiful now, lots of green, flowers still blooming and apple trees full of apples. There is a prediction of drop in temperature. Somehow feels right to signal the arrival of fall.
Sounds gorgeous! I love it when the apples start to appear on the trees. Signals the coming of autumn, as you say, and crumble season! Is there an apple dessert tradition in Estonia too?
My husband is baking a cake now as we chat. 🙂
Fantastic! I need to get my husband to up his game. 😂
A lovely read ☺️ Autumn is my favourite time of year! I guess my ritual would be the use of the slow cooker, it really gets some hammer at this time of year and I LOVE it 😀
Yes! I need to get mine back out of the garage where it has been holidaying over the warmer months. 😂 What is your favourite slow cooker recipe?
Oowww that's a tough one, I don't think you can beat a good stew in the slow cooker but I also like chilli and curry done in them too! What about you? X
Oooh yes, I love a stew! I make a spag bol in mine. It’s completely inauthentic and an Italian would be horrified but it’s my ultimate comfort food. 😂 X
ohhhhh yes, I forgot about spag bol in the slow cooker - an absolute winner!!