Personal Harvest

Last week was Autumn equinox, a sabbat that is considered to be a harvest celebration, the second of three harvest festivals in some traditions. In our times, few people actively participate in the harvest by collecting vegetables from a field, canning fruits or doing any of the work associated with harvest. Mostly, we enjoy that a variety of fresh, local food is available.
However, harvest time is also the perfect time for a personal harvest. Take some time for yourself and think back. Write a list: what have you already achieved this year? Have you learned something new? Completed an art project? Gotten a promotion? Read five books? Have you come to know yourself better? The Gods? Have you been able to appreciate the turn of the seasons? Have you raised a kid for another year? Have you finished one of your many projects? Have you found the courage to say no to yet another project? What were the important, the beautiful, the most moving times, the most rewarding moments, the most breathtaking scenery, the most joyful company? Take your time to make this list of things you have achieved or received during the last year.
Then, if you want to, make a second list: the year is not yet over, and quite likely you have some projects you would like to finish, or at least take another step towards finishing them. List everything that comes to your mind, and think about what you can do tomorrow – or better yet, today – to get closer towards including that project in your personal harvest for this year. Or, if it is something you think you should be doing, but do not really want to do, let it go.

Finally, go back to your first list. Read through it. Chances are the list is much longer than you would have guessed initially. If it is not, you probably forgot a lot of things that would be worth being mentioned in your personal harvest. Read through the list and realise that there are a lot of things you have received, and also a lot of things you have achieved. Be grateful for the gifts of the universe. And allow yourself to be proud of your achievements. This is your harvest.