September 23, 2010

Crossing The Seasonal Threshold.

Today we cross the threshold of light and step into darkness.
This statement sounds somewhat ominous, and it truly is in some way. The autumnal equinox is upon us and as it evens out our nights and days, it also signifies that we are entering the time of twilight.

By each week, by each day, minutes of precious sunlight will be taken from us. Already, our sunsets occur about four hours earlier then around summer solstice in June.
As I will watch the evening sun on its travel across the horizon, from the true west to the far southwest, my heart will grow heavy by each sunset. The golden disc will move slowly at first, setting in its true cardinal direction for a few more days. Soon, this journey will speed up, until one day in late October the sun will disappear all together from my view, to be gone for months at a time during the dark Scandinavian winter months.

As much as vernal equinox brings me joy, the autumnal holds so much more sadness.

Yet, it signifies the onset of time of tranquility.
A time of rest and a time of gentle contemplation, filled with recollection of what was... Soon the cold easterly winds will bring a sense of sharp freshness, as they instigate the pleasure of long walks on misty days, while fallen leaves rustle under our feet and the air becomes scented with the smoke of wood burning fires and rich cuisine.
Autumn has arrived.


31 comments:

Elizabeth said...

Yes, the sun is slowly but surely disappearing again. Enjoy the sun today and store her energy into your soul.

Regina said...

Such amazing contrast Zuzana.
I always love Autumn but not the cold.
Have a wonderful day.
xoxo

Sandy said...

It hit 90 degrees F. here today....hot and humid with storms coming through. The temperature is suppose to break this Sunday. We had such a lovely week here. I've been enjoying my screened in porch. I don't look forward to the darker nights. But it's not as bad now that I don't have to drive to work in the dark and come home in the dark like I did for years at this time of the year. Isn't it amazing that we can talk...you in Denmark...and me in Pennsylvania?

S. Susan Deborah said...

Autumn has arrived and we are glad to read of its appearance here. I just cannot believe that the year will soon give way to another. Here we are, still blogging and writing. Cheers to us and all of us.

Joy and love always,
Susan

Brian Miller said...

that sharp sense of freshness and the woodsmoke...lvoe them both...time does fly as i remember this time from last year...

Jill from Killeny Glen said...

I love your comparison posts...whether they be weather...or a plant or the seasons.

I am letting go of summer Zuzana...I like to think I have a choice in the matter but I do not...so the only thing to do is EMBRACE fall which is not so bad is it???

XOXO
J

Rick and T said...

Thanks for the well written are creative essay. I look forward to reading more. I am a new follower to your blog and have a new blog also. Will you come, read and follow mine:

makingmyway2010.blogspot.com

- Rick

Anonymous said...

Our days are becoming shorter as well, but I don't think I could take the amount of darkness that you have in Denmark. I think I would feel sad.

Maria said...

Oh, that dark Scandinavian winter, it really comes over you!

Enjoyable post as always,

Maria xxxx

Claus said...

stunning comparative pictures!! What a difference! You are having feelings just like those I do when our summer is finishing and the longs months of rain are ahead: they are nice, but too much of them can take a toll on you. Hang in there and enjoy the dark as much as possible, with the one hope that there will be sun at the end of it.
have a great day!

Anonymous said...

It's mild here, but the leaves are turning. It's getting cold. And much darker. I try to cheer up the darkness with candles and fires and jumping into leaves.

Donna said...

Beautifully said, Zuzana. Autumn has arrived, but it sure doesn't feel like it here in NC.

Hugs,
Donna

LG said...

I like your blog and photos... As I feel for your 'loss' (perhaps) we enjoy the Spring Equinox here in South Africa...I'll follow your thoughts through your Fall...

Anonymous said...

I feel the same things you write about, Zuzana.
Wishing you a lovely Autumn,
Zuzu

Dan said...

Zuzana, you have the most amazing seasons! I love the way you write about them too.
Dan
-x-

steviewren said...

As always I love seeing the way you see the sky at each season of the year. I always try to envision your world, the time of day, the quality of light....etc.

By the first weekend of Nov. the time will change and it will be dark at 5 pm here, which is cozy if you are snug inside your home, but kind of depressing if you are just leaving work. I'm always happy at the return of lengthening days too.

Laura said...

Zuzana, your photos are exquisite. May you find deep rest and tranquility within the comfort of outer darkness and inner light.

Nezzy (Cow Patty Surprise) said...

How very eloquently stated. I hang on to every last sun ray I can and do not welcome the winter months with open arms. I just loved this post.

As the darkness of winter approaches we can both bask in the knowledge that a new spring will come bringing new light and new life.

I just wanted to thank ya for your sweet comment and hoppin' on my blog. I sure hope ya'll enjoy the ride.

God bless and in the words of that silly old Granny Clampett, "ya'll come back now, ya hear!!!" :o)

sprinkles said...

I always go to my parents house on Sunday and Wednesday evenings to visit. On Wednesday's, I go at 9:00 PM and on Sunday's I go at 6:00 PM. It's already dark when I go on Wednesday's. I was just thinking the other day that pretty soon it'll be dark when I go on Sunday's too. :(

Kath said...

Lovely photos as ever and poignant words. beautiful.

Rajesh said...

Beautiful sunset shots. You stay in a very pretty place where you have extended sunset at least some part of the year.

Kat_RN said...

The length of our days do not change as dramatically as yours, but they do shorten. It will still be dark when I leave for work this morning and dark again when I come home. I work 12 - 13 hour shifts, so it isn't so amazing, all the same, I appriciate going and coming in the daylight for summer.
Are your leaves changing yet?
Kat

NENSA MOON said...

It's always enjoyable here reading your post, Zuzana!!
I like the way you write the words...
yeah...Autumn has arrived there...and I hope you have a wonderful and blessed Autumn this year..

sending my warmest hugs to you from Palembang, my dear friend!
love,
nensa

Nessa said...

I love this time of year. Fall is my favorite. It must be because I can't see in bright sunlight. I love the way you take the comparison pictures.

tony said...

Autumn Brings Poignant Memories With Her.
New\Old :Familiar\Novel.
Yes, a time to reflect.A Special Beauty.

GYPSYWOMAN said...

dearest zuzana - thank you so much for all your sweet comments at my place - coming here to your homage to autumn and the passing of seasons is such a joyful time - however, being a true leo i confess that i am never as happy as in the heat of the summer's radiant heat - all is well in my world when sister sun shines upon us - i've sat and browsed for a bit on some of the things of yours that i've missed of late -

and while i am here, just as an aside, i'm afraid i missed a few of my dear blogfriends here recently in letting you know of some of my personal distractions taking me away from visiting - but my only living sibling was taken very critically ill several weeks ago - hospitalized for emergency surgery and then in icu before having been now moved to a rehab facility - in the midst of this, i was dealing with a bit of some sort of a bug that just refuses to leave and i am also planning a relocation half way cross country in two weeks - and in the meantime, i have two little ones several days/nights a week while my daughters are in class - so - my visiting has been more than limited - i tell you this just so you will know that it has not been by my own hand that i have been taken away at times ;) i know you will understand - as always, your visits do always bring such a breath of fresh air for which i am so so grateful!

peace and love -

3ate4 said...

Lovely images!

Joanna Jenkins said...

As much as I love Fall I'm always sorry to have the days shorter.

Your photos are stunning with such rich colors.

Happy Autumn! jj

Arti said...

Loved the post...
The pics were amazing!!
Have a nice day:)

Anonymous said...

Oh wow, Zuzana... in a lot of ways, I don't think my mind can quite comprehend living somewhere the sun vanishes for months. Seems like such a strange, twilight world you inhabit! :)

Zuzana said...

Elizabeth, Regina, sandy, Susan, Brian, Jill, Rick (welcome), Di, Maria, Claudia, ladyfi, Donna, LG (welcome), Zuzu, Dan, Stevie, Laura, Nezzy, sprinkles, Kath, Rajesh, Kat, Nensa, Nessa, tony, Gypsy, 3ate4 (welcome), Joanna, Arti and Tony, thank you everyone for your wonderful comments and for sharing your own sentiments when it comes to the season of autumn.

Yes indeed, it is a lovely season, but I could surely do without the time of twilight, that will envelops us very soon.

Thank you again everyone for your kind visits.

Xoxo
Zuzana