The Liminality of Autumn
"In liminal space, one meets the unknown...the unconscious edge of one's former narratives" - Helene Shulman
Welcome to The Autumn Chronicles, a place to shine a light on all the wonder around us as we navigate the seasons. I hope these writings allow you to sit quietly with a cup of something warm and comforting and take a few moments for yourself away from the rush and hurry. If you would like to make sure you get all newsletters directly to your inbox, please subscribe below. Thank you for being here.
We are approaching the end of autumn; this liminal, transitional space which acts as a gateway between the verdant beauty of summer and the hushed dormancy of winter. It is a temporary pause in the doorway of the year, a time to reflect on the cyclical nature of life and the inevitability of change. It is a prompt to recognise autumn as a metaphor for impermanence, set against the seasonal backdrop of leaves that are dazzling in their colours yet which are certain to fall.
This sense of impermanence can elicit feelings of desolation or wistfulness as we evaluate what has gone before and consider with expectant anticipation what is to come. It encourages us to cherish what we have currently, to live each moment fully, to allow ourselves to be carried by the natural rhythm of life and the continuous cycle of change that is intrinsic to it. Change can be frightening but, when met with courage and an awareness of the green shoots of new possibilities, it can also be beautiful and it is necessary for growth and that sense of forward momentum that keeps us pushing on to new experiences, new achievements, new adventures.
There is liminality in all seasons but it is in autumn that it becomes more apparent, more compelling. As the world transitions from the bright, estival joy of the warmer months to the inevitable processes of withering and decay that are so palpable at this time of year, it forces us to sit with the uncertainty of decline in this space of potential and transfiguration. Embracing uncertainty invites the development of resilience and allows time for introspection. Making space to pause and reflect on where we have been and where we wish to go empowers us to embrace opportunities where they arise and foster a more robust sense of intention and purpose which can be used to steer the course of our lives.
The liminality of autumn is therefore the perfect metaphor for the space into which we transition, when we are no longer who we were but before we become who we will be. It is an essential, fundamental part of the path we navigate through life’s twists and turns, allowing growth where otherwise there would be stagnation and encouraging discomfort as we step out onto the cusp of new horizons. It encourages us to embrace ambiguity and the unknown, to harness the power of this transitional season to let go of everything that is no longer relevant and to seek out the joy and excitement in creating a new and different narrative.
I’d love to know: where have the liminal spaces been in your life this autumn?
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What a beautiful, evocative post; thank you so much for sharing 🙏🍁 I too have been thinking about the liminality of this season. It has, for better or worse, been busy; perhaps a reminder that in life’s impending withering, we hold onto some things for too long.
Such gorgeous writing, Victoria. I felt as if I was floating through your words, suspended and calm in this liminal November energy. As you know, I love this time of the year and I feel like there is extra magic all around us, if we simply are aware. Thank you for a time of pure rest in this moment. xx