ANNI TEMPORA/AUTUMNI

ANNI TEMPORA / AUTUMNI

Nature’s first green is gold,

Her hardest hue to hold.

Her early leaf’s a flower;

But only so an hour.

Then leaf subsides to leaf.

So Eden sank to grief,

So dawn goes down to day.

Nothing gold can stay.

Robert Frost

According to ancient Chinese philosophy, the universe is based in continuous movement, driven by two primal and complementary forces, yin and yang. The first book that outlined the phenomenon was Book of Changes, written during the era of the Zhou Dynasty (1100–771 BC). In the classic symbol depicting yin and yang, called Taijitu, yin is represented by the colour black (while yang is white). While yang is associated with connotations of the positive, bright and masculine, yin is aligned with the negative, dark and feminine. Both forces need one another in order to exist, and are to be thought of as two aspects of the same phenomenon. In this way, yang is not to be considered as better or more desirable than yin, or vice versa, they are simply two sides of the same coin.

“Life can be considered a series of lessons, and with each lesson we master, we grow as individuals and become more nuanced and mature.”

Yin and yang are not only philosophical concepts but also tools possible to implement in one’s daily life, in order to achieve a more harmonious lifestyle. As it is important to have both in one’s life to achieve balance, one must be careful not to let one force dominate the other. If you have a surplus of yang, you must add yin to your life. For example, if you have had a period of extroverted behaviour and strong growth, it is important to leave room for introspection and reflection. This is in stark contrast to popular Western belief systems, where characteristics are seen as part of an “identity”, rather than viewing the concept of “identity” itself as an ever-shifting and irregular process. According to the philosophy of yin and yang, a strong emphasis on a particular pattern of behaviour should warrant the subsequent behaviour of the opposite. If one has acted in a dominant manner in the past, it is best to now learn how to be subservient. If before, one has placed too much emphasis on masculine traits, it is time to shift focus and allow for more feminine energy. If previous actions were primarily extroverted, now is the time for introversion. In this way, one’s sense of identity should not be stable but rather marked by a variety of shifting experiences, in order to help further growth. One is never complete as a person, but always evolving and changing into something new. Never simply being, but constantly evolving. In other words, life can be considered a series of lessons, and with each lesson we master, we grow as individuals and become more nuanced and mature.

“The shift from summer to the first days of autumn is so gradual that at first it is not even noticeable.”

Yang is what awakens the seeds in the spring, and what allows the flowers, bushes and trees to be their most vibrant in the summer months. The shift from summer to the first days of autumn is so gradual that at first it is not even noticeable. The air becomes slightly crisper and there might be a chilled streak early in the mornings, but in the evenings, the weather is still warm and the sky is bright. Gradually, the signs of summer are replaced by the glow of fall. The trees turn golden and the mark is covered by leaves in shades of red, orange and yellow. What once grew – driven by the energetic force of yang – must slowly return to a place of tranquillity and peace. Yang is the force that awakens the flowers and the seeds in the spring, and what allows them to be their most vibrant in the summer, but in the autumn, yin takes over and when winter arrives, yin will be in its most dominant position.

Yin and yang are both necessary components in a balanced existence. When people reach the autumn of their lives, it is not uncommon to experience melancholy or even a sense of loss, as now the youthfulness of the yang period is forever gone. But what this perspective neglects is the realization that is that we have instead been given another gift: the force of yin. The introspection and solitude that yin provides is a necessary context for the many experiences that yang brought. The trees are just as beautiful in October as they were in June, but it is a different kind of beauty and it takes the eye a while to grow accustomed to the changes.

“Autumn is the time of harvest.”

Autumn is also the time of harvest. All what one has sowed in the yang-inspired spring will, once yin arrived, be reaped. This is the time when all of one’s hard work is rewarded, and as such, it is marked with contentment and gratitude. For the farmer, this is a physical fact and way to understand the passing of the seasons, but it is also true in a metaphorical sense – what we spent the spring of our lives planting and giving nourishment to, we will be rewarded for in the autumn of our existence. This is why the American tradition of Thanksgiving takes place in autumn, once begun as a way to give thanks for the harvest. To take stock, and to say a prayer of grace and thankfulness, is a way to mark this particular time. Many rituals begin with giving thanks for what one has already received – not until one has acknowledged all the gifts already present in one’s life, can one ask for more. This links seasons with another while also highlighting that the to move forward in life one has to recognise and give thanks for what happened in the past.

When it comes to travel, other kinds of destinations are popular in autumn than during summer. Deep forests, quiet landscapes, small towns or cities rich with restaurants and museums are now preferred. The autumn rain enhances the melancholy and solitude of the moment, as does the early sunsets and late mornings. Beginning in early autumn, when everyone has returned from the summer holidays, offices are busy and days filled with what can appear as endless meetings. For this reason, it is important to remember to take a break, spend time on one’s own and reconnect with nature.

“Changing one’s style is not simply about aesthetics, but part of a ritual that marks the annual transition from one season to another.”

For many, autumn is also a welcome break from the many social events of the summer. Holidays, parties and late evenings are now replaced with a more peaceful way of living. This is also marked in the changes in fashion that occur at this time of the year. Summer dresses and sandals are stored away, and instead, cashmere jumpers, long coats and wool pants are placed at the front of the wardrobe. Changing style is not simply about aesthetics, but part of a ritual that marks the annual transition from one season to another. It is symbolic for entering a new time, with new kinds of prerequisites and moods. This is not only an external shift but also a mental and emotional, which explains why autumn for many people is the preferred season of year.