Things to see and enjoy and the end of the Autumn Season

Welcome October (Almanac 2024)

Sue Cartwright • 1 October 2024

Inspiration for things to enjoy in Nature at the end of the Autumn Season

Welcome October (Almanac 2024) by Sue Cartwright, Spiral Leaf

The beginning of October is a transformative phase of transition into the depths of Autumn at the onset of the Winter season. We have another clock change with time going back an hour at 2am on the last Sunday in October. Don't let this separate you from Nature natural cycles when it's exciting to enjoy some early, slightly chillier mornings to watch the Sun rise or spending time outside taking in the warm glow of a sunset.

Signs of Autumn showcasing its last treasures before everything falls to the ground in Winter are everywhere. The most noticeable being the blaze of colour with ruby reds, pupkin oranges, copper leaves, conkers and berries bursting from every hedgerow, on moorland, in woodlands, along rivers and all other wild places.

Leaves are beginning to fall on pathways creating a soft padded cushion underfoot. Fungi and Lichen are thriving in ancient woods with all manner of birds and small creatures busy collecting fallen nuts, acorns, seeds and other foodstuffs to store in their secret hiding places.

Every living thing is preparing for the coming Winter and we can take pleasure in observing them as we enjoy walking in the slightly cooler air, taking in the sultry light at the end of the day before the nights become lighter again and feeling the delightful presence of Nature around us.

Remembering our pagan ancestors, the month of October was the time to celebrate Samhain when communities gathered together to honour and communicate with ancestors who have passed away and are never forgotten. It falls at the end of October and spills into early November, halfway between the Autumn Equinox and Winter Solstice.

You can find gardening tips. vegetables, herbs, fruits and nuts in season, and things to forage, in my Almanac for October (2023).

Poem for the month

Read or listen to my first poem - Welcome October - a celebration of Nature's 'dying down' at the end of the Autumn season in a final burst of colour, beauty and purposeful activity.

Recipe for the month

I do not having a new recipe at this present time although I am working on some new, simple and seasonal, super-nutritious and healthy recipes to share with you in the coming months.

Dates for Moon phases

Hunter's New Moon - Wednesday 2 October

Hunter's Super Moon - Thursday 17 October

Daylight Saving

Clocks go back on Sunday 27 October at 2am

Times for Sunrise & Sunset (Devon)

First Dawn - 7.15 am

First Sunset - 6.52 pm

Last Dawn - 7.05 am

Last Sunset - 4.50 pm

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Visual odyssey across continents

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Things to watch out for and do in Nature in September.

1) Plan a field trip for the whole family or group of friends

Field Trips are a great way to experience the natural world more closely and gather information about different species, environments and natural habitiats. The best sites are those where Nature is free to do its own thing out of harm's way and where we can hone in on wildlife activities as they change through the seasons.

More info: Get the low down on Planning a Field Trip here on my blog which comes with a free planning kit download.

2) Find a special place to read a book or do some sketching

There are more benefits to reading books or sketching images which are inspired by Nature than we might imagine. It requires spending relaxing quiet time on our own when we can slow down, reflect, ponder, absorb, imagine and create new images and stories in our mind.

There are many worthwhile reasons to read books, not only for our general health and cognitive development but also to help us find our own truth and make up our own minds about things in life that are important to us.

More info: Learn more about Reading for Health here on my blog which comes with a free reading list and review kit download.

3) Create a work of art with things found on walks and adventures

Creativity is one of the most treasured aspects of being human and yet it is easy to deny ourselves the joy of being creative with so many distractions and the busy-ness of modern day lives. Spending time in Nature is immeasurably beneficial to our health so why not take the opportunity to get creative?

There are so many ways to get creative in Nature, especially at this time of year. Keep a look out for things that have fallen or been discarded as the long days and sunshine start to wain and collect them to make works of art from them.

More info: Feel inspired and get motivated with ideas by reading Natural Pursuits here on my blog!

Above all, wrap up warmly, prepare for rain and go outside to enjoy Nature's gifts through October, it will be worth every moment.

I hope you find many ways to enjoy being outside in Nature through October, and look forward to seeing you here for my next Almanac on 1 November 2024.

Sue Cartwright

Spiral Leaf