The Community Well - Fall Equinox: September 22, 2025

Fall Equinox: September 22, 2025

And so the seasons turn: Fall is here again. 

Fresh back from a Summer roadtrip along the California coast the run up to the changing of the seasons was on display: cooler temps and colorful trees paved our way north and then back again. And because all forms of life are affected by seasonal changes, humans too displayed the seasonal back to school behavior which meant for us no families on Summer vacation: roads and restaurants were in quiet mode. It seems like yesterday that I finally put away my woolens and pulled out my cottons from my closet. And now we’re headed in the opposite direction. But we must cherish this turning as it signals life - and without that, well …. 

When the earth rotates around the sun it does so at a tilt, a tilt that - in Summer - brings us the long hours of daytime. Of course, the southern hemisphere at this same time celebrates its shortest days. During the equinox - literally “equal nights” - both hemispheres, although still celebrating opposite seasons, are receiving equal light. In the northern hemisphere we’re celebrating Fall while in the south it’s Spring they are welcoming. 

Subtle changes leading to a noticeable shift. My days of swimming in my pool which I choose not to heat are coming to a close. I can swim in 68 degree water but 64 is a little past my tolerance these days. I’m not a cold plunge girl, been there, done that.

Aikido, that amazing art, keeps us turning as well as it mimics the movements of nature. But this abstract mirroring does not come with the details of nature’s seasons, just its energetic forms. But this constancy helps to moderate human emotions. As we move towards the longest night, it is common for people to fall into the darkness of emotions as well: depression. Aikido practice, however, throws this aside and brings the happiness factor back full tilt. Daily training is important. 

Serious students of Aikido know that you do not need a mat for daily Aikido training, although mat work is the best. But as injury lessens one’s ability for that form of Aikido, the observation and celebration of nature is available anytime to anyone. I don’t mean just the ability to feel colder weather, but to feast our senses on the changing seasons, to notice how the behavior of animals change with the seasons. Bears and whales are probably our most noteworthy examples: they both head in different directions as bears retreat inside a cave while for whales it’s heading for different waters along the longitudinal line. The furry coats of our pets change seasonally thickening up for Winter and full blow outs as Summer nears. And, of course, our non-mammalian friends - the trees and plants - change their “coats” as well. If you eat from your own local farm, the foods available change with the seasons, and so noticing these differences is a way to live more in harmony with the world around you which is what Aikido is about. This way of living brings more centeredness and health to your system and world.

October 4 - November 28: My Oct/Nov exhibition at Some Crust Gallery in Claremont will feature some new and different artwork as I am trying some new things as well as returning to some old favorites of mine. I hope you come to see them.

October 25: In Claremont, another venue which celebrates the seasonal change is Village Venture, a Harvest festival just before Halloween. I am trying to finish a particular piece of artwork for that day as the Pomona Valley Art Association will have 2 popups right in front of our gallery. Come and see it.