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May each spark of match, each candle’s flickering flame, serve to remind us of the creativity, possibility and mystery contained within the dark — the dark from which all light, and all life, is born. -Rabbi Adina Allen

“Autumn is a time of letting go of what is no longer of value as well as taking in the bright, crisp invigorating air of the heavens.  Autumn is full of red, gold and rusty brown leaves falling on the earth. It is cold and fresh.” — Debra Kaatz, Characters of Wisdom

Reading through the contributions this month I was struck by something Jude Ponton wrote, when she reflected that imbalances in the Yi spirit might present as Psychospiritual Indigestion. As we enter into the Fifth Season of Chinese Medicine, the Element of the Earth we have an opportunity to examine what we cannot digest, and to identify ways to nurture ourselves, embrace the bountiful abundance of Mother Earth, and find center physically, emotionally, and spiritually. When there is a lack of joy, or a crisis of values we find meaning and purpose by transforming the negative impulses that surround us. Judy Bernard’s contribution this month provides self-care strategies designed to address these deep and profound emotional feelings so that we are able to open our hearts to both give and receive Love.

Gratitude: An attitude of thankfulness develops humility, opens the heart, and brings our attention back to the Source…Gratitude acknowledges that life is meaningful and valuable, prevents our taking life for granted…and reminds us of our interconnectedness. —Lionel Corbett, Psyche and the Sacred

“Transformation leads people to become more deeply and completely who they are and have always potentially been…Transformation is realization, revelation, and emergence, not self-improvement, change for the better, or becoming a more ideal person. The transforming person is someone who realizes the inherent self to the maximum extent possible and in turn influences others to do the same.” – Murray Stein, Transformation, Emergence of the Self.

Phanes: I am Phanes your light. Sharpen the sword so that it slashes. Light the torch so that the darkness grows luminous.  Jung: What am I supposed to do with your dark words? Should I act or listen? Phanes: You should stay quiet so that it comes to you. — C. G Jung, The Black Books, Volume VIeradicat

“The purpose of life is not to be happy. It is to be useful, to be honorable, to be compassionate, to have it make some difference that you have lived and lived well.” — Ralph Waldo Emerson

In the late summer, Music from Angel Fire an annual chamber music festival, celebrating its 37th season, brings young musicians, contemporary classical composers, and so much more to Northern New Mexico. Donna, Sande, and I attended two concerts this season and were fortunate to hear young artists from the Curtis Institute in Philadelphia, Juilliard School of Music in New York and the Colburn School in Los Angeles as well as accomplished professionals who love returning to Northern New Mexico each year. This year, Andi Akiho on steel drum and Ian Rosenbaum on marimba, played two pieces from Synesthesia, Purple and Red, composed by Akiho, these compositions brought forth extraordinary sounds, evoking the natural world and all its beauty. Deeply healing, the spirits of every masked attendee in the audience, were lifted.

As we emerge from living in isolation and only seeing friends, family and colleagues on Zoom or FaceTime we experience the genuine joy of in person reconnection, laughter, great food, and far-ranging conversations that engage the mind and heart.