Moving through Autumn: exploring transition through reflection and ritual
Connecting with the energy and spirituality of Autumn through ritual and intention
Today I wanted to share some reflections as we wind our way through Autumn. As well as some thoughts about the energy of the season and how this can be reflected in our own inner cycles and seasons, I’m sharing a short somatic practice below for you to explore. If you’d like to explore the themes of Autumn Equinox, with journal prompts and a curated playlist, check out my post An Autumn Equinox playlist, with journal-prompts
If you’re new here I’m Laura, a counsellor, nature therapist, somatic therapist, meditation teacher and space holder. My work is centered around gently guiding people back into relationship with themselves, with their bodies, and with the wider natural world. My offerings weave together counselling psychology, embodiment, nature connection and ritual to support deeper alignment with our inner and outer cycles.
Autumn is a time of transition, both seen and felt. In the natural world, it's the season of release, of letting go. Trees shed their leaves, plants return to the earth, and animals begin to prepare for the colder, quieter months ahead. We can also reflect about how we respond to this shift. What does it look like to slow down, reflect, and prepare for the inward journey of winter? Autumn reminds us that endings are necessary, and that release is part of the cycle.
As I sit and write this, there are signs of this change creeping in. This year, those changes seem to be in contrast to the warm breeze that’s been a regular feature since late Spring. Mornings are chillier, the leaves on the Chestnut tree outside my window have started their shift from their lush green to a tapestry of oranges and browns. Mornings are misty and cool, there’s that familiar smell of damp earth in the air but the afternoons still feel like summer. It’s been a strange year in nature with the defined edges of the seasons blurring into each other.
Autumn Equinox: a moment of perfect balance between light and dark
We’re approaching Autumn Equinox, a moment of perfect balance between light and dark, and when we pass that point we begin the slow descent into the darker half of the year. In October we will mark Samhain, the end and the beginning of the Celtic year. Samhain is a potent threshold, a liminal space when the veil between worlds is said to be thinnest and where we’re invited to listen deeply to what’s stirring beneath the surface.
As I reflected last Autumn, I am feeling this seasonal transition more fully this year. I usually love the high energy of summer but this year I found myself struggling to connect with it. I believe wholeheartedly in the power of ritual, ceremony and connecting with external cycles but that has to be balanced with exploring the cycles and rythems of our own lives. If we think of Autumn not just as an external maker but also an inner state, how can we slow down, listen, feel and to honour the ebb and flow inside of us?
This is something I’m exploring in all aspects of my work. Many of my therapy clients are exploring liminal spaces, transitions and how they might navigate the cold, dark winter months. And in my upcoming Rooted Self Connection Sessions we’ll be deep diving into this Autumn energy and reflecting about how we can somatically connect with our own inner cycles and seasons as well as the shifting seasons around us.
It’s a beautiful time to turn inward, to tend to the quieter parts of ourselves, and to notice what is ready to be composted.
If you’re feeling the pull to reflect, to rest, or to recalibrate, you’re not alone.
Can you let the falling leaves remind you that there is beauty in release?
Can you let the shorter days encourage you to rest more deeply?
The element of water in Autumn: the ebb and the flow
Autumn, in many nature-based traditions, is associated with the element of water, an ever-shifting, ever-responsive force that moves with both power and softness. Symbolically water represents emotion, intuition, adaptability and the subtle art of flowing with, rather than against, the natural currents of life.
This Autumn, my connection to the element of water has been an interesting one. As many of you will know, I live on a boat and an exceptionally dry summer has meant that my little narrowboat home is currently grounded. The rains we’ve had in recent weeks have felt tropical but ponds, lakes and reservoirs are low and I wonder how this impacts our connection to being in flow. When water is present but not abundant are we able to connect with slower movement rather than allowing ourselves to stagnate?
I often reflect that I can move between extremes; rushing forward with great momentum or coming to a full stop. That balance between action and stillness, between doing and being, is something I’m still learning how to navigate. As someone who has both ADHD and Autism this is part of my rhythm. I can sprint with intensity, overflowing with ideas and energy, and then suddenly hit a wall, needing deep rest and time to reset.
Water reminds me that there’s another way. A gentle, consistent flow. Not a flood, not a drought, just enough movement to feel connected, nourished, and alive.
I’ve been sitting with the idea that sustainable movement doesn't have to mean constant productivity or momentum. It can mean aligned action; small, intentional steps that keep us flowing without overwhelming our nervous systems. It can mean honouring the pauses, the eddies, the quiet pools, without getting stuck in them. It can mean recognising when we need to release something in order to continue moving—just as rivers do when they overflow their banks.
I’m learning to soften into that. To not rush the process. To not judge myself for needing stillness. And to not be afraid of letting go when the current calls for it.
So, if you’re feeling a little stuck, or a little swept away, maybe you could pause and ask:
What would it feel like to be in flow right now?
Not in a tidal wave of doing, and not in a stagnant pool of overwhelm, but in a gentle current steady, supported, and true to your own pace.
A simple ritual to connect with the energy of water in Autumn
Ritual is a beautiful way of intentionally connecting with both the energy of the season and the deeper parts of yourself. It offers a sacred pause and an invitation to step outside the busyness of everyday life and drop into presence. Whether it’s something simple and personal, or something shared in community, ritual helps us mark time, honour transitions, and tend to the inner shifts that often mirror what’s happening in the natural world. If you’re curious to explore this more deeply, I’ve written a post called Incorporating Simple Rituals and Ceremonies into Your Daily Life for Grounding and Growth, where I share ways to bring gentle, meaningful practices into your everyday.
When life feels turbulent or unclear, ritual can be the grounding thread that brings you back to your centre. It doesn’t need to be complicated. Sometimes the most powerful rituals are the quietest ones: lighting a candle with intention, journaling beside a river, connecting with gratitude or taking a mindful walk.
The gentle ritual I’m sharing here is one that connects with the energy of Autumn and the element of water, symbolising emotion, intuition, and flow. and also with the element of fire, which can symbolise transformation, release and illumination. In combination these elements invite us to both feel and let go.
With autumn being a season of thresholds, it invites us to slow down, reflect, and gently release what no longer serve us. If you’re moving through a transition, feeling the need for a reset, or simply wanting to connect more deeply with the season, you might want to explore this ritual in a way that feels meaningful for you.
If you’d like support in crafting a ritual that’s personal and purposeful, or want to explore this work more deeply in a 1:1 space, I’d be honoured to walk alongside you. You can get in touch here.
What you’ll need:
A small bowl of water or a river or stream
A candle (to represent fire and transformation)
A few fallen leaves, conkers or other objects from nature
A quiet outdoor space or sacred indoor space
Instructions:
Open your sacred space: place your bowl of water in front of you, or on your alter if you have one. If you’re outside, have your bowl of water and leaves to hand or ensure that you’re within an easy distance of your water source. Take a few deep breaths, feeling yourself grounded and present. If you have a spiritual practice already you can open the space in what ever way feels right for you. If you don’t have a practice already, you can simply light your candle with the intention that you’re carving out a sacred space for your ritual
Connect to the elements somatically: we often look outside of ourselves to connect with the elements but each element is within or with us. For Earth you can take a moment to feel the solidity of the ground under your feet. For Air you can take a breath and breath our slowly and with intention. For fire you can connect with the heat of your body, by rubbing your hands together. For water you can lick your lips and connect with the sensation.
Reflect on release: hold a leaf in your hand, thinking about something in your life that you are ready to let go of.
Immerse in water: gently place the leaf in the water, watching it float. As you do, say “As the leaves fall and nature sheds in preperation for winter, I release [name the thing you are letting go of].” Imagine, think or feel energy of release flowing through you, as the water begins to absorb the essence of what you’re shedding. You can repeat this as many times as you would like.
Offer your gratitude: thank the element of water for its cleansing and transformative powers. As you watch the leaf floating in the water, reflect on how water teaches you to ebb, flow and to navigate transitions
Complete the ritual: When you feel ready, blow out the candle and pour the water back onto the earth, symbolising the return of what no longer serves you to be transformed by nature. End by offering grattitude to the Earth for transmuting what no longer serves you.
I’d love to hear your reflections if you try this simple ritual. To further explore your connection to nature, check out my post Reflections and Resources for self guided Nature therapy, eco therapy and nature connection.
If you’d like to explore your transitions or bespoke rituals to honour them, I offer one off 121 sessions in person or via zoom. I’m also available for ongoing counselling, in person or via zoom, nature therapy in person in Birmingham and group nature connection sessions in Birmingham. You can get in touch here. Autumn blessings.
