6 autumn journaling prompts to deepen your roots

Ah, autumn. Are you feeling it yet? The season of pumpkin spice lattes, cozy sweaters, and the colorful shedding of amber, red and gold leaves. The world seems to take a deep breath all the way down to its roots. Watching the leaves gracefully tumble to the ground, it's hard not to be reminded of life’s eternal cycle of creation and dissolution. As much as it's a season of endings, I've always sensed an undercurrent of awakening, deepening, and aliveness.

If you look past autumn's colorful cloak, you'll see she offers age-old wisdom, echoing spiritual energies from across the globe. I've gathered some of the symbolic meanings I like about fall (with journaling prompts if you want to go deeper!).

1. Celebrating the harvest: In the embrace of October, we feel a global rhythm, a heartbeat of gratitude. As people around the world celebrate and honor the harvest, there's a deeper acknowledgment, a soulful recognition of the dedication, love and labor that births the abundant gifts of autumn.
   ​JOURNAL PROMPT: Where in your life have you been working hard and are ready to celebrate the fruits of your labor before racing headlong into your next project?

2. Release and Letting Go: In the heart of autumn, trees surrender their leaves, teaching us the sacred art of letting go. It's a luminous nudge to release the old, creating space for renewal and deeper wisdom.
   ​JOURNAL PROMPT: What are you ready to let go of to help you transition from the active growth energy of summer to the restfulness and maturity of winter?

3. Balance of Light and Dark: The autumn equinox, with its perfect dance of daylight and darkness, invites you to ponder life’s delicate balance. It can be a sacred time, inviting reflection on the harmony between our inner shadows and illuminations.
   ​JOURNAL PROMPT: Where in your life do you feel the pull for greater equilibrium, and what nurturing energies can guide you there?

4. Japanese Aesthetics: In Japan, the beauty and impermanence of life are celebrated during autumn. The concept of 'mono no aware' (物の哀れ) - which roughly translates to “the beauty of transience” - is often associated with the fleeting beauty of autumn leaves.
   ​JOURNAL PROMPT: As you witness autumn's transient dance, where do you see parallels in your journey? How might this awareness help reduce resistance to change?

5. Indigenous Wisdom of Give and Take: One of my favorite authors is Robin Wall Kimmerer (Braiding Sweetgrass), a member of the Citizen Potawatomi Nation. A recurring theme in her writing is the concept of gift-giving and reciprocity with nature. Plants generously shedding their seeds in autumn and the fall of leaves that will become nourishment for the ground are examples of this generous relationship.
   ​JOURNAL PROMPT: As you reflect on the cycle of reciprocity in nature, where in your life do you feel this mutual exchange of gifts? How might you deepen your relationship with the natural world to embrace this dance of give and take more fully?

6. Chinese Mid-Autumn Festival: Also known as the Moon Festival, this autumn celebration takes place when the moon is believed to be the biggest and fullest. Mooncakes are eaten, and there are many legends, including that of Chang’e, the Moon Goddess of Immortality.
   ​JOURNAL PROMPT: Reflecting on the fullness and luminosity of the moon, how can you embrace and celebrate the fullest expression of your own inner light, and what parts of your life journey resonate with the eternal essence of Chang’e.

🍂🐿️May autumn bring you deep reflections, warm connections, and the wisdom to embrace life's ever-changing dance. 🦔☕

Big love,
Susie