Equinox
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| This photo was provided by Durell, who writes her own blog: Breath, Relax & Empower |
Lilijune walked down the street with her mother, Sabine. It was dusk; the sun had almost set. Sabine carried a knapsack with a wool blanket, a few flashlights, some snacks, and a thermos of hot chocolate made with warm almond milk, organic cocoa powder, and a hint of maple syrup.
It was a crisp, clear autumn evening, and once the sun had set, it would be chilly in this small seaside town. Lilijune and Sabine were bundled in lots of layers, though, and toques and mittens were packed in the knapsack as well.
Officially, it wasn't autumn until 8:09 p.m. in their time zone; tonight was the Autumn Equinox, and that was a pretty big deal to Sabine and Lilijune. This was Lilijune’s favourite time of year. For as long as Lilijune could remember, she and her mom celebrated the Autumn Equinox. They marked the earth shifting into perfect balance with a small annual celebration. They also celebrated Spring Equinox, but Lilijune preferred autumn’s.
It was only 7:30; they were making their way to the celebration site: a courtyard on the city’s university campus where they were meeting some other friends.
Lilijune lived alone with her mother. At ten years old, she understood that her household wasn’t quite like everyone else’s. Sabine worked hard to provide for Lilijune and also strove to instill her values in her daughter. Sabine was vegan, so there was none of the typical junk food in their home, and they didn’t own a t.v. Lilijune wasn't drawn to the usual things other ten-year-olds seemed interested in.
Because they depended on fruits and vegetables as their main source of food, they were very sensitive to what was seasonally available and what wasn't. Sabine felt it was important for her daughter to stay in touch with nature and understand that balance and working in harmony with the planet was a better way to live. By trade, Sabine was an herbalist and always had a kitchen full of dried plants hanging upside down from the ceiling and windows, herbs growing on the window sills and in their garden, and one concoction or another brewing on the stove for her clients.
Lilijune didn't begrudge her mother's teachings. In fact, Lilijune was VERY aware of how weird and wonderful nature could be. Lilijune realized at a young age that she didn't see the world the same way everyone else did - she had the inexplicable ability to see more.
As they entered the campus, Lilijune saw out of the corner of her eye something rustling in a shrub as they passed it on the path. Most people would assume that it was a rabbit or a raccoon, but Lilijune never assumed anything.
The courtyard looked like a festive autumn wonderland when they arrived. The campus kept the street lamps lit, and the other visitors lit candles and placed them all over on windowsills and along the path. Colourful wool blankets were laid out on the lawn, looking like a giant quilt in the dim lighting. Many people greeted Sabine and Lilijune with words of welcome and smiling faces. This was not some crazy event with mysterious pagan rituals or cryptic messages; people would simply gather, sing songs, and then meditate quietly for the minute when the Equinox shifted into place.
It was almost time. It was cold enough now that you could see your breath. Toques and mittens time. Lilijune and Sabine blew into the beam of their torch to see their breath make a small patch of fog in the light. As the Autumn Equinox came again, Lilijune closed her eyes and thought back to when the magic began for her one year ago on a night just like this.
It was a crisp, clear autumn evening, and once the sun had set, it would be chilly in this small seaside town. Lilijune and Sabine were bundled in lots of layers, though, and toques and mittens were packed in the knapsack as well.
Officially, it wasn't autumn until 8:09 p.m. in their time zone; tonight was the Autumn Equinox, and that was a pretty big deal to Sabine and Lilijune. This was Lilijune’s favourite time of year. For as long as Lilijune could remember, she and her mom celebrated the Autumn Equinox. They marked the earth shifting into perfect balance with a small annual celebration. They also celebrated Spring Equinox, but Lilijune preferred autumn’s.
It was only 7:30; they were making their way to the celebration site: a courtyard on the city’s university campus where they were meeting some other friends.
Lilijune lived alone with her mother. At ten years old, she understood that her household wasn’t quite like everyone else’s. Sabine worked hard to provide for Lilijune and also strove to instill her values in her daughter. Sabine was vegan, so there was none of the typical junk food in their home, and they didn’t own a t.v. Lilijune wasn't drawn to the usual things other ten-year-olds seemed interested in.
Because they depended on fruits and vegetables as their main source of food, they were very sensitive to what was seasonally available and what wasn't. Sabine felt it was important for her daughter to stay in touch with nature and understand that balance and working in harmony with the planet was a better way to live. By trade, Sabine was an herbalist and always had a kitchen full of dried plants hanging upside down from the ceiling and windows, herbs growing on the window sills and in their garden, and one concoction or another brewing on the stove for her clients.
Lilijune didn't begrudge her mother's teachings. In fact, Lilijune was VERY aware of how weird and wonderful nature could be. Lilijune realized at a young age that she didn't see the world the same way everyone else did - she had the inexplicable ability to see more.
As they entered the campus, Lilijune saw out of the corner of her eye something rustling in a shrub as they passed it on the path. Most people would assume that it was a rabbit or a raccoon, but Lilijune never assumed anything.
The courtyard looked like a festive autumn wonderland when they arrived. The campus kept the street lamps lit, and the other visitors lit candles and placed them all over on windowsills and along the path. Colourful wool blankets were laid out on the lawn, looking like a giant quilt in the dim lighting. Many people greeted Sabine and Lilijune with words of welcome and smiling faces. This was not some crazy event with mysterious pagan rituals or cryptic messages; people would simply gather, sing songs, and then meditate quietly for the minute when the Equinox shifted into place.
It was almost time. It was cold enough now that you could see your breath. Toques and mittens time. Lilijune and Sabine blew into the beam of their torch to see their breath make a small patch of fog in the light. As the Autumn Equinox came again, Lilijune closed her eyes and thought back to when the magic began for her one year ago on a night just like this.
