Within my tradition this is a time of the Crone at the beginning of her reign. She loses her mate with the coming of autumn and awaits the birth of the Child of Completion. She is in the third trimester of her pregnancy. Remember, this is metaphor for birthing anything and can be applied to spiritual journeys and creative endeavors of all kinds.
The Crone is contemplative. Since she has lost her mate she is now alone with her thoughts and her memories. She communes with the spirits and nurtures the child within her. The child is herself - a new self. (more metaphor). She is also the Healer and uses her knowledge to tend to those who need her aid. (more nurturing).
At Samhain she will hit the peak of her power and become the harbinger of death. It is the Crone who stands at the gate between the worlds and welcomes us unto her. It is through knowledge of her that we may reach the otherworld and be reborn again.
At the Winter Solstice her labor pains will begin and a new cycle will be ushered in. The Child of Completion is born out of darkness, wisdom, and death. This illustrates that you can have neither life nor death without the other. There must be balance in all things.
The Autumn Equinox is said to be the second harvest, and was originally what we now think of as Thanksgiving. The date was changed to the last Thursday is November thanks to Abraham Lincoln. It is a time to be grateful for life and the fruits of our harvest. It is also the beginning of the time of our ancestors whom we remember and honor. We look towards the West, the Land of the Dead, and reflect on all of those who have come before us.
I honor the lessons of the Crone and welcome her to her throne with bouquets of mums and marigolds, and bushels of ripe red apples. I pray that her wisdom may be found within me now and into rebirth.
Great Crone of Wisdom,
Cerridwyn, Morrigan, Three Faced Brigid,
May I be open to change
And willing to walk by your side
Into the world of death.
Within darkness lies eternal wisdom.
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