Hullo! No, I haven’t
disappeared, haven’t been carted off to be medicated and contained (although
there has been talk). I have simply been on somewhat of a hiatus dealing with health
and family issues and focusing on a few new directions under the guise of the
alter ego. The nice thing about that last bit: It may be of great help here at
the EVGA in the future. Let us hope, yes?
In my absence, I have not forgotten the blog. Nor have I
ignored the many wonderful artists and discoveries that started this little
project. I have, in fact, when not working (boohiss) or tending to other things
of a personal nature, been on the look out for more things to feature on the
site and collecting topics to blather on about. I do hope you will rejoin this
quiet, well-mannered asylum and enjoy your stay.
So enough of that and on to better things. I am back. Yes M’dears,
back. As in you will have to decide whether or not to put up with me
again. Now that Autumn is officially
here, I am awake again. Like many of us, that Season of the Bright Burny Thing
In the Sky is painfully oppressive and forces a type of aimless wandering
malaise. We trudge through socializing, find secluded, shaded beaches to enjoy
the roar of waves and travel primarily at night, for the few hours of true
darkness we are granted. Then comes Autumn in all of her fiery hues, spiced scents
and low rolling breezes. I will apologize in advance for the length of this
post and the fact that is pretty much NOT Victorian, however, it is in its own
right, about our darker nature, our Gothy nature. The topic arose two Sundays
ago when I was invited once again to join two wonderful ladies, Oly and Brenna
Mar, on their weekly BlogTalkRadio show Coffee with Oly and Brenna Mar. Some of
you may remember that I have been on before and we have discussed everything
from the Vampire and Gothic cultures to Victorianesque Hallowe’en and those who
have passed, but are still wandering about with us. I have included a link to
this most recent show. I hope you enjoy. I know I did, and I am definitely
looking forward to rejoining the ladies again October 12th to
discuss more Hallowe’en, Samhain and Autumny topics.
Allow me to elaborate a bit on the Allure of Autumn. The
year is really broken into two, not four, seasons, one outward facing and one
inward and reflective. And like all other creatures, we have a 13 moon
circadian rhythm that lies just beneath that which dictates our regular sleep.
All summer long we are social, communal creatures who are out and about, arms
open to that searing orb up above and our fellow man. (Keep in mind, this is a
general statement, not meant for 100% accuracy at an individual or even
sub-cultural level, but based on observations of loosely-referred-to humanity
in general) Spring is the culprit. It wakes us from our cozy beds at the end of
Winter, luring us out with the sweet scent of all things blooming and the happy
buzzing of bees hard at work creating that liquid gold we will covet in later
months, mixed with choice spices like a salve for our dark souls. But I digress
(happily).
In Spring we emerge, we breath deep, arms open wide, chests
out, heads back, breathing in an awakening world of fresh air and warmth from
above. The colours are limitless and inviting, even inspiring for some. I will not deny the beauty and almost
dream-like state that comes during Spring. It is similar to that first moment
of waking when dreams have not yet faded and the world takes a moment to appear
real.
Then comes Summer, hot on the heels of Spring. That blessed
burny thing wants its time, and will have it. We are now fully awake and in a
pretty good mood. The world is a bouquet and we breathe it in as that first cup
of coffee in the morning. We are still
in an embrace-the-world mood. The light is on, so we’d might as well go
exploring. But this, too, slowly drags to a close. Quite literally.
That first chill wind, the first golden falling leaf, that
first earthy whiff of low-borne breezes…. The Earth whispers again, and the
spirits join in the song. Like our ancestors, our thoughts turn to stocking up,
gathering in, comfort foods, harvest, gatherings with those closest to us and
the warm glow of candle light, hearth and all things Autumn. It envelops us
warm and lovingly like the blankets we giddily bring out of storage and scatter
about the house.
During this time we turn inward. Our socializing has a
deeper meaning. It is reflective. Rather than running out to greet Nature, we
bring it indoors with us. We look at the world differently, and we know that it
is looking right back at us. The trees sing a different tune, the flowers are
gone and yet Nature’s robes are even more colourful, more vibrant and more
amazing than ever. Life slows down a bit as opposed to the chaotic, constantly
going nature of the wind up in Spring and the constant go of Summer. It is in
this darkening time that we rediscover our true connection to all things
natural rather than simply enjoying them and their benefits, we touch, we
breathe it in and we rejoin it in our metaphoric rabbit burrows. We are
preparing for the blessed sleep of Winter. It’s chill winds lull us to sleep and there we
recuperate from the year and rebuild for the next.
But Autumn is so much more than preparation and reflection.
It is a time of celebration. Harvest celebrations are rampant and well
deserved. Then comes the reunion with our departed loved ones. Whether you
celebrate Samhain or All Hallow’s Eve, the spirit (Pardon the pun) is very much
the same. There is the reconnection, that thinning of the veil that allows us
to feel them, hear them, and bring them to the table with us in celebration, remembrance
and for many, for counsel. We recognize and rejoice in the diversity that the
crossing of the worlds brings. Reality blurs once the harsh light wanes, and we
are able to see what has always been there, but whitewashed in long hours of
glaring sun. We realize that we are not so alone, nor are we as restricted. It
is on what some might call flights of fancy that we, again, go inward and
discover, display and rejoice in our truer natures.
I won’t go into Winter yet. It isn’t time. Perhaps the small
mention above will suffice for now and we will revisit that wonderful, restful
time of year as it comes closer.
For now, I will say Thank You, a hundred times, Thank you,
for being patient, for returning after my less-than-excusable absence, and I
hope you enjoyed my Reawakening Ramble. Much is still to come.
Keep it Spooky, Lacey and a little bit Spicy,
Ever,
Raven
