Samhain is here, the twilight of autumn. That liminal time as the harvest season ends and the dark time of the year begins. I spend the early hours of the morning in quiet contemplation of this day, my favourite time of the year, by taking a nice long walk through the fields around the village.
The dragon’s breath hangs low at the edge of the pastures giving the landscape the look of the Otherworld, closer than ever at this time of year. The veil is thin and if one is observant they may catch a glimpse of a puca frolicking, or a fearsome dullahan on a headless ride.
If they fae creatures are out while I walk I don’t manage to catch a glimpse, though I do see many sheep placidly grazing in the fields, a cheery robin that follows me down the path, and one very alarmed pheasant bursting out from the hedges.
The gifts of Autumn are abundant in the hedgerows: bright gold and russet leaves, bejewelled spider webs, plump sloes and rose hips, and windfall apples along the woodland floor.
It’s time to close the gate on Autumn and head home before the chill of winter descends.
Wishing you all a blessed Samhain!