As the summer passes into memory and a new year begins we all feel a sense of sorrow, whether we are referring to the cycle of the school year, which is deeply imprinted in many of us, or of the seasons, which we carry in our cellular memory from ancient times. There is the pang of loss and the letting go, which ease the transition into a new cycle.
Before the new can be born, the old must be put to rest. Afterwards ensues a period of darkness, unknowing, even mourning, which is a perfect opportunity for interior reflection. If you are a student, you decide how you would like your new school year to be even better than the year before, or you find yourself setting bright new intentions for Fall projects as the colors emerge and the leaves begin to fall.
In Judaism, this new year is celebrated with a turning inward where our reference points are our hearts defining where we have let ourselves and others down and where we need to forgive and asking for forgiveness. This is ancient wisdom lighting the path forward.
We find ourselves now, globally, in a time of darkness, there is so much that is troubling, heartbreaking, some would use the word evil. What is evil but an absence of light? Light relieves the darkness, light informs, light heals, light enlightens.
This is what we are going through as a planetary whole, physically, emotionally, mentally and spiritually, a passing of the old. This can bring up strong emotions, including fear, for death can be ugly. We are experiencing a dying of weak, outmoded beliefs, systems and social structures that we relied on in the past, and that no longer seem to be working, in fact no longer seem alive.
Challenging as it is, this is happening so a new and better way of living can emerge. Living in “right relationship” -as the Buddhists say- with our planet Earth, with ourselves and with all other sentient beings. No longer does it feel “right” to lord it over all the other kingdoms, and use/abuse the Earth’s mineral riches in ways that cause such damage and such suffering to many for the enrichment of a few. Power over, bullying and prejudice, “us not them”, all formerly accepted, no longer feel good to us. These are just a few examples of how we are changing in our hearts and consciousness.
Many have likened this transition to gestation, a kind of pregnancy with all its challenges, pain, powerful energy and releasing. We do know, no matter how difficult, birth carries the potential of something new and wonderful emerging into the light of a new beginning.
Imagine that this is happening for us collectively. It is certainly traumatic, though ultimately joyful. It is also very messy, full of emotion, blood, sweat and tears. We see this is happening for Mother Earth as well- wildfires, earthquakes, huge winds and floods. Can we begin to see this for the good its process carries, for the good of all life on Earth?
One of the elements of a major life change which doesn’t receive enough attention is the value of respecting and honoring all that is passing, the “dying” of the old ways, the old life we have been used to. This neglect ensures that the fear of change gets packed away for the next opportunity.
A healthier way forward is to pause and take some time to experience the feelings and the gifts of wisdom inherent in grieving, inherent in letting go of the old so that we can clear old weary energy, by forgiving and understanding it. Then we are ready to cross the bridge into the new with clean and open hearts and minds.
This is the alchemy with which Rob Loveland and I will guide you in our upcoming webinar, THE BRIDGE TO NOVA EARTH ~ coming on October 25, 2025.
For more info and to register for this two hour webinar:
Post by Jennifer Donaldson
A Lighthouse for the Soul 