Newsletter
Welcome back! It's hard to believe that we're almost three quarters of the way through this year already, but whilst we are enjoying the warmth of these late summer days, we've noticed a slight chill and there is definitely a change in the air with the coming of this month of September!
The beginning of these Newsletters is often inspired by the natural world, what is happening in parks and gardens, or a view seen from an upstairs window. This morning the view was rather beautiful....................... Very early, soon after the dawning of the new day, the birds and squirrels that normally come to feed in the garden could be seen feasting on the juicy fruit of the pear tree. The pears hang like jewels, golden and russet red, from the dark, green leaves of their mother tree. The early morning sunlight shining on the dewy leaves created a magnificent scene of shimmering, sparkling light, making the tree look like a huge Christmas tree!
What a wonderful gift to start off the new day! Gifts come from the most unexpected of places at times, we just need to be open to noticing them and receiving them. May your day bring a gift to you in some way!
September, traditionally the month of Harvest, when the richness of mother nature's garden comes to maturity, is a timely reminder to us to express our love and gratitide for the abundance in our lives. For it is in our thoughts and expressions of love and gratitiude for all things that our abundance will increase. Remember, what you give out, you get back!
September is also the month of the Autumn Equinox, occuring this year on the 23rd September, a time of equal hours of daylight and dark. On the wheel of the year the equinox is briefly a time of balance between the energies of yin and yang, but then the 'doing', active energy of yang will gradually give way to the more intuitive energies of yin as the wheel moves onward, towards the Winter Solstice. With this return towards the yin energies of inner peace and growth we are led to listen to our heart, which tells us 'there is more' as shown in this Blessing :-
"The core of peace lives not in thoughts, nor in the deeds I do. It lives inside my heart, in how I feel about me. When I have learned to be at peace within myself, then shall I radiate that peace to all. Let me now go within to calm the inner sea." (Danaan Parry - Book of Days)
A new moon in Virgo gives us a chance to begin anew on the 8th September, and September 23rd as well as being the Autumn Equinox is also the full moon in Aries
September 29th is 'Michaelmas' a day dedicated to Archangel Michael in particular, and all Angels, so a very special day for us to keep in mind and express our thanks to Archangel Michael for always watching over us here at St Michael's Church The Sanctuary! Rudolph Steiner once said, with reference to Archangel Michael:-
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