Finding Happy

Every year as September whizzes by I feel kind of frantic, thinking “I’m not ready!  I was just getting used to being warm and enjoying summer.”  Unhappy.  Then, when I realize it's the Autumnal Equinox, I think to myself, “Ohhh, let’s have a celebration!”  Happy.

For the entirety of my life, summer has been my favorite time of year.  The reasons why may have shifted over the years, yet the joy of long and warm days remains the same.   Fall is the only season I enter dragging my feet.  So when the weather people and news people repeat over and over that summer is ending, I feel unhappy, almost angry at them because they keep saying something I don’t want to hear.

It came as a surprise this year that the Autumnal Equinox (Mabon, first day of Fall), is the marker of the change of seasons.  [Sometimes obvious things just get by me.] I love ritual and ceremony and almost instantly, the end of summer became something I could celebrate.  As I explored the history of the meaning of the time of the year, I found myself immersed in all kinds of stories when humans were more consciously connected to the earth and festivities reflect that.  These are things I do want to know about.  This makes me happy.  

In reality the end of summer and autumnal equinox are the same day.  Thinking one way about it stimulates sadness and disappointment.  Thinking about it another brings joy and inspiration.

Simply by focusing my attention on what I enjoy brings me more joy and happiness.  While I have little control over the changing of the seasons, the good thing is that how I focus my attention is something I do have a good deal of control over. 

Focusing your attention on what you like rather than what you don’t is ubiquitous.  Meaning, you can do it in any situation you find yourself in.  You are a powerful being, and I encourage you to remember that as often as possible.

Here are links to two websites I found offering information about Mabon/Autumnal Equinox history and celebrations.  Craft of Wicca and Holidays Calendar.

You’ll see that corn is woven into this ceremony often—makes sense since we are celebrating the harvest.  So far my own ceremony is going to include popcorn and a fire in the fire pit.  Certainly, celebration of the abundance in my life will also be the focus.  How I implement it isn’t quite clear to me just yet.

Ultimately, while I hope you enjoy the coming of the new season, I also hope that you will remember the powerful being that you are and take on your own joy as often as possible!