Come for a walk with me
and ponder the questions of this season
The signs of seasonal change have been very noticeable in the UK this week as the days grow shorter, the light has a warmer (and sometimes grey!) tint, and the winds are cool. On Sunday I went for a walk and pondered a few seasonal questions as I noticed more signs of the season. And I thought you might like to join me…
First I spotted these stunning berries - I love the deep black and bright red next to each other!
Q: What fruit is ripening in your life this season? Is it ready, or not quite? How will you enjoy it?
I always feel drawn to gates and paths. There’s something about seeing the path in front of me; and the slowing down I need to do to navigate through the gate or over a stile.
Q: What is changing in your life this season? Take a moment to pause and notice.
Next I walked across this field that had just been harvested. I was struck by the ground that had been cleared, and the sense of space, as well as the messiness close up.
Q: I wonder what this image brings up for you? Take a few minutes to journal about the feelings and thoughts that emerge.
As well as blackberries, I found lots of elderberries. I like to gather a few each year to make elderberry cough syrup, adding a tablespoon to my glass of water each morning, to keep my vitamin C topped up.
Q: What’s one new way you’d like to invest in your health this season?
I love seeing all the different seed heads at this time of year, and gathering a few into a dried bouquet.
Q: What seeds are waiting to be gathered this season?
Perhaps a new idea is on your mind that you can nurture over the autumn and winter ready to plant next spring. Or perhaps you have something ready to plant now. What is the right next step, however small?
And finally, a moment of pause, watching this river flow slowly. As you finish journaling, I invite you to join me and watch the current as you let all that you have discovered through these questions percolate a little longer.
I hope you enjoyed this seasonal walk and journal with me. I’d love to hear anything that you’d like to share in the comments.
These questions are amazing Victoria! After our conversation yesterday I scheduled some time for this morning to read, slowly, not rushed, and to come back to these questions.
One of the things that struck me as I was journaling about the fruit that is ripening is that there's a point where it's overripe, soft and mushy, covered in worms! I don't want to miss the moment when it needs to be harvested so I can enjoy it.
The other thought is: ripening is a passive act, it's letting it happen. I watered, and maybe fertilized, but now it's time to let it be, to wait and watch, until it's ready. I loved this reminder, because often, when I let something grow and evolve in the background without real action, I can feel bad for not being proactive enough. Maybe it's not just okay but actually necessary for something to ripen without my constant interference until it's ready for harvest.
I'll continue to think about harvest... 🧡 Thank you for these amazing questions!