Rev. Michelle's Message September 25, 2025

This Monday was the autumn equinox—an astronomical event that marks the beginning of autumn and occurs when the sun crosses the “celestial equator,” an imaginary extension of Earth’s equator line into space. At the time of the autumn equinox, day and night are roughly equal in length. However, as we all well know, after the equinox the days will continue to get shorter and the nights will get longer—a process that will continue right up until the winter solstice.

So that’s what’s happening celestially during the equinox. But what are the trees and plants and creatures experiencing during this time?

Perhaps the most striking change is the leaves’ changing color. This occurs because plants and trees are slowing down as sunlight decreases to get ready for the colder season ahead. Plants stop creating chlorophyll, the green pigment responsible for photosynthesis which gives plants their green color. As chlorophyll breaks down, the underlying pigments caused by carotenoids (yellow and orange color) and anthocyanins (red color) become visible. During this process, plants transition from making food to storing food. These changes also protect the plants from damage due to cold weather.

So the leaves are not so much changing color as they are releasing what they no longer need (chlorophyll) to reveal the colors that are already there underneath. I love the metaphor of this: During the fall season we are invited to follow the wisdom of the plants and trees and release what no longer serves us. In this way, we prepare ourselves to make way for what is growing and transforming within us.

We’ve been talking a lot about reclaiming our connection with the natural world, and one way we can do this is to be more intentionally aware of the changing seasons and how all of nature is changing, too, and preparing for the coming months. What changes are you noticing around you in nature? Have you seen evidence of the changing season in the animals, plants, birds, or insects that live around you?

Many animals spend the fall months preparing for the coming winter. Some animals do this by migrating, some by hibernating, and others by storing up food or storing up fat to live off of when food is scarce. Many animals grow winter coats to keep them warm and/or seek shelter to protect them from the cold.

Our own human changes may not be as dramatic, but we also shift and change with the seasons. We may find ourselves wanting to hunker down more, be cozier, eat soup or drink hot beverages, or begin to do more sedentary, restful activities like reading or quilting. What changes are you noticing in yourself as we move into the fall season? How do you feel about the seasonal changes you are noticing?

This Sunday’s lesson, Re-Wilding Our Practice, will explore spiritual practices we can use to feel more connected to the natural world, as we lean into the changing season and seek to live in greater harmony with all our relations.

Fall Blessings,

Rev. Michelle

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