Turning to the natural world

from Gary Philips

For Gita’s birthday

October 29, 2011

Now we welcome into our circle of community and spirit the whole of creation around us, the earth that sustains us and the stars above and the creatures of the field and wood.

What is happening now in this season of the natural world, under our feet and above our heads and into every unseen corner?

First of all, we have just entered the new moon of Scorpio, which will show itself tonight as a waxing crescent.  Scorpio is the sign of emotional fearlessness.

Tonight in the southern sky Castor and Pollux will blaze on the horizon with Orion. Bright Aldebaron, the eye of Taurus, is high overhead and Pliedes shines like a jewel necklace.

We are in a powerful changing season but field asters and groundsel trees are still blooming and this is the mating season of harvestmen, known as daddy long-legs. We hear the last calls of crickets and katydids. Ladybugs, hawks and hummingbirds are all migrating south. Monarchs are on the wing to Michoacan.

This is hunker-down time, the hunter’s moon. Beavers are stockpiling sweet gum branches, deer, squirrel and wild turkey are competing for acorn drops and possums and raccoons are making their last attack on ripe persimmon.

Hickories are in their glory time and the incandescent yellow leaves of sassafras are indescribable. Just as we say goodbye to some migrants we say hello to others; on the winds of this October nor’easter cold front will arrive juncos, white-throated sparrows, winter wrens, myrtle warblers and more. Much more.

What a time it is! What an amazing day! The world is turning and we are gratefully gathered to celebrate your birthday. May all of nature share in your joy, and may you enter into the arms of sleep tonight blessed and protected and filled with wonder. Amen.