October’s harvest full moon: You belong among the wildflowers

October is enchanting + mystical. It’s darker + cozier. And it’s filled with natural + spiritual symbols that constantly speak to us about letting go. The growing season is now complete, and it’s time to settle in. To let go of all that has been, to enter into the last part of this year, and to finally turn inward, with our harvest in our arms, so we can gather together all that we need for this next, slow, solitary period of the year.  And with October’s full moon, we begin by wondering where we belong.

It is a mysterious month, that starts off with a big, bountiful harvest moon and ends with the celebration of Halloween/All Hallow’s Eve. It’s a month, I believe, that helps us to ponder our place in this world + give thanks for all that has been completed, fulfilled, and gone before. A month for listening to the quiet whispers of nature and of spirit. To consider our own mortality, to listen to the ancient wisdom of the world, and to discover what unique role we have for this next phase in life.

Basically, it feels like October is infused with quiet, cozy inspiring moments meant to help us to prepare to begin again.

But the beginning again is very slow and intentional. It’s not like spring where we feel as if we are bursting with life, eager to get out + get busy. No, October is more somber and solemn. It’s mellow. We’ve not quite slowed down into hibernation, but, instead, we are consciously, mindfully, moving through the actions of our days. Seeing what magic there is to behold. Remembering the messages of surrender + letting go that nature shares with us as the leaves change colors and descend to their resting place on the ground below. Because that’s where they belong right now. That’s the purpose they serve.

And, in all of this, we begin to think about where we belong in the world. How we fit in. What our purpose is. And what lies out there on the horizon for us.

Enter in October’s harvest moon… giving us the perfect opportunity for us to sit with these questions. You know, it’s not so much that full moons have some magical answer that they send down to us. It’s more that they are an obvious, natural, cosmic monthly occurrence which remind us that life moves in cycles. That everything continues to evolve and change.

Full moons are simply good markers to check in with ourselves. To simply look up, remind ourselves to breathe for just a moment, and ponder what is being illuminated in our lives right now. What do we feel right now? What do we need right now? And how do we go forward?

October’s full moon, the harvest moon, gives us a chance to gather all that we have learned + harvested, and think about where we belong, what our purpose is. So, consider taking a few moments to wonder about that in your life. Write in your journal. Take a walk + just breathe + observe. Go out + gaze at the full moon. And just think… where do I belong? What do I have to offer?

If the moon is lovely, but you just don’t know or feel any answers to those questions, then let me share a little something with you by the inspiring, rebellious, true-to-himself artist, Tom Petty, who passed away a few days ago.

There is a song of his, maybe not his most well-known track, that spoke to me, at just the right time, years + years ago. Like yeaaaaaars ago. I’m talking 20+. In any case, the song, “Wildflowers”, inspired me to embrace who I am. Somehow the sweet little tune gave me a sense of empowerment. It reminded me that I am meant to live the life that I dream of… that we all are. Something about the song captured my spirit in lyrics + music. It awakened and affirmed those feeling of longing to be free + wild, and to to live a deeply content, connected, and meaningful life. That life is really about all of those simple, authentic moments. And, each of us are meant to live out our truth.

And so, on this full harvest moon day in October, as we enter this slow, dark season, calling us to ponder who we are, why we are here, and what power we have to share with the world, “Wildflowers” seems to do it again for me. I haven’t thought about this song in many, many years; and somehow, it landed on my heart just this week. And, once again, it’s mellow tune tells me to just be me. To simply embrace the simple greatness that is this life, to listen to my heart, and to be happy + free.

That’s what this moon is saying to us. Slow down. Listen. Embrace. Be free. And share who you are with the world.

Read the lyrics and listen to this cover in the YouTube video below. And then listen to Tom Petty’s version right → here. See what you think. And how you feel.

Mystical harvest moon blessings, wild ones. xoxo. liz.