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October 31, 2005
autumn
Autumn, at least in cultures influenced by Europe, is supposed to be the final season in the annual cycle, an elegaic time in which we savor the last warmth and last color before winter's death and spring's rebirth. If fall has any advantage, it is only Shelley's "deep, autumnal tone / Sweet though in sadness."
But not for me. I think of fall as the first season, the time of rebirth and renewal, when the annual cycle starts anew with its fresh faces, when careers (academic, judicial, athletic, and political) are launched, and when the sticky mid-Atlantic heat finally dissipates so that we can venture out of air conditioning, quicken our pace, clear our heads.
Posted by peterlevine at October 31, 2005 12:57 PM
Comments
Peter, I enjoy your mood-oriented post.
In the Jewish cycle, as you may know, autumn is the time for inner clarity and renewal, while spring is the time for outer manifestation.
(expressed by Hasidic teacher 200 years ago by Zalman Schneur and last decade by psychologist Joel Ziff)
Posted by: Scott D ![[TypeKey Profile Page]](http://www.peterlevine.ws/mt/nav-commenters.gif)
at November 2, 2005 12:05 PM
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