(a belated) Happy Samhain!

I woke this morning to frosty roofs and crunchy grass that chilled my toes as I ground myself in first light. Yellows, oranges, greens and pinks heralded the dawn as I struggled to stand back up after a backyard downward dog. Cooper lifted his leg to pee on a nearby bush and watched my struggle. Pretender.

I laughed and after feeding him breakfast, I made coffee, opening a journal to a fresh page to record my morning minutes.

Samhain is a celebration, a deep exhale after the work of summer is done.

During morning minutes, my guides shared these words. "In this blessed moment, do not overlook what you tended and harvested into reality. The bounty is more than enough to thrive until spring. There's ample to share, to nurture and heal others and the self."

I am exceedingly grateful for their message.

These are the days, weeks, and months when darkness owns the clock. Study nature for long, and her advice is evident. This is the season to look within more than with-out. The answers we seek are close. Sit in the quiet and the solutions will become apparent.

If we think of the darkness as the shadow-self or subconscious, and the light as an outward expression, then what to do during these dark days becomes clear. Reflect. Journal. Meditate. Listen. Observe.

Cooper snored at my feet and my beloved ancestral spirits and angels came through a second time. "When dawn breaks, lighten up! Lighten your load! Speak to nature and bask in the day's brief, but golden light."

"Before artificial lights and clock-strict work shifts, Samhain was a celebration. It offered the blessing of sweet reunions after spending a summer away from our loved ones to grow and hunt and harvest and store. In the flicker of an autumn fire, we had the chance to gather once again, fill in the gaps, share stories of our separate journeys and solitary work. Remain planted in gratitude, confident you have all you need until spring."

As autumn unfolds into winter, maybe we should all pledge our allegiance to the sun and night sky, allow them to nudge us to adhere to the new balance of more dark than light? Like a needy child, inner-looking and solitary pursuits have begged themselves hoarse for our attention. Give them the eyes, the heart and the time they deserve.

And when the sun is out? Lighten up. Use the precious light hours to play, to rejuvenate, to nurture, to work, and to observe. When the sun tucks behind the mountains again? Return to the fellowship of family, and share your inner-self with those you love.

Like the extra hours of sleep we need when we are ill in order to heal, these dark days restore balance after the endless toil of summer. Listen. Observe. Obey. Stay grounded in now, because lingering in the past sickens the body and grows sticky, festering tumors.

The medicine? Gaze into the flickering flame of a candle. Let the amber dance carry messages like a movie from the eyes to the brain to the heart until what will be is clear, and what has been can no longer harm.

This is a time to dwell with our ancestral spirits; allow the voice of the shadow-self to be heard, loved, cherished, and followed into sweeter realms.

That shadow self? Take her hand. Let her guide you into the cave. Graze the smooth, cool walls.  Let each step be a meditation, allow the surroundings to swallow you in a black so deep it renders your eyes useless. What happens next is nothing short of a miracle. Latent senses wake up and guide your feet.

The cave walls seem to close in as the world narrows from the all to the self. Shadow-you is all you have. Have faith in her. Do not release her hand. Let her help you navigate this unlit path, step by step.

Toes feel stones and dips in the clay floor. Soon the skin registers a breeze, outside air that signals the end of this meditation is near.

A prick of light in the distance is all the encouragement the mundane senses need to reengage. Out of respect, though, they let the ancient ones continue to lead the way.

As the mouth of the cave looms larger, those steps slow to a crawl. The contract is near completion and understanding settles like dust in a stray ray of sunlight. Nothing will be the same. Have faith. Go slow. Touch the ground. Gather the bits of your soul together and follow the shadow-self outside.

Rays of sunshine stab the irises, too much at first, then tolerable. Daylight exposes the truth, the shadow is fused to the self as an equal. This is a fresh start and offers a fresh way to experience life.

Give away that ill-fitting suit and enjoy this new version of you, of life.

Carry the messages you received from the cave meditation to a private corner. Record them, read and absorb the words in private. Then, before the ink dries, toss them into a fire and let the smoke mark the path to come.