I was once told how long it takes the beginning of Autumn to sweep through Britain. This week, here on the South coast, I was able to sit and watch the russett and gold leaves relinquish their grip on the tangle of twigs they concealed and float gently to Earth. It was evening, so their colours were illuminated by the orange glow of the street-lamps.
If the weather is good at the weekend we may seek out the rural delights of the season and drive to the Downs to experience some panoramic views of the warm colours of the woodlands while there are still leaves clinging to the branches. They change from vibrant green to gold so suddenly before they fall, providing us with new entertainment as we kick our way through the carpet of paper-thin blessings. In my childhood the pleasure of being knee- deep on woodland walks was wonderful.
I never saw the musical, "War of the Worlds," but clearly remember Justin Hayward's version of For Ever Autumn, his voice and the flutes blending so well to provide an Autumn soun-track. He, however, looked positively untouched by nature, something quite intriguing to my youthful mind; not a blonde hais was out of place as he sang for his lost Love:
"My LIFE WILL BE FOR EVER AUTUMN,COS YOU'RE NOT HERE!"
I think, at the time, it appealed to my teenage sense of tragedy, as did Tess of the D'Urbevilles and Hamlet. These days I like to listen to more joyful ditties. We have a very specific playlist that features only cheerful songs.
Other lists feature songs to do housework to; things like Queen's "Don't stop me now!" Songs to promote calm and, of course, meditation. For this, I prefer just music, or even just nature sounds. When in meditation the mind is very receptive to sound and I am very careful what I listen to when in this state. There is a collection by Dan Gibson that I like to use: "Ocean Surf" is a particular favourite, being just the sound of waves lapping the shore. Just waves....
The sights and sounds of nature have so much to give us, so much healing and so many messages, as if every leaf on every tree was a Love Letter, floating down to us at this beautiful time of year.
I drove through Longleat the other day to see the trees and the colours were fantastic (unfortunately I didn't have my camera with me). Autumn is very late this year here and its still very mild, if wet. I have always loved music and used it to chage or enhace moods. Music has its own energies which can uplift or depress us (I'm sure you listened to Leonard Cohen when you were younger).