Soft winds and gentle breezes, loving kindness from Waya, Keeper of the South Gate as she gives us tranquil moments of warm sunlight that touches our faces gently. 

The sweet spicy smells of james and canning in the kitchens.  Herbs drying and absorbing the final Sun Rays to heal Winter's aches.  Delicious pumpkins for pie making and the garden's harvest of colorful squashes line the Summer Kitchens and porches.  Dry corn stalks and Indian corn hanging to remind us of the bountiful year of blessings we have had. 

We hold onto these precious days wanting them to last longer. . . .knowing not anything stands still.  The seasons teach us change comes swiftly.  This time of the year the Land that was hot and humid just days ago is now cool and the mornings bring the glistening reflections of frost as the Sun rises and floods the Mountains and valleys. 

Overnight the Standing Tall Ones have all turned to their true colors, gagage / red, yellows, golds and oranges.  Some deep purple and even blue leaves!  They will soon dry and turn to russet brown and wither away to feed the soil and next season's new life. 

Our Old Ones tell us the Tree has just a short time of its true realization in the Falling Leaf Moon and the instant it comes to the peak of its true color the new transformation cycle happens called Autumn, give away and renew! 

Birds that will Winter with us even change their songs to welcome the new energy and life forces of Yunsai.  A keen ear is needed to identify them in their Winter chorus.  Hawk is high and its call echoes out over the valleys and hollows; Grandfather Eagle is visiting now and very visible in the heavy clouds, while Owl hoot-hoots when the dark ominous clouds cover the Sun, and ruffles his feathers and lowers his head into his shoulders to brace himself for the biting chill of the Wind Spirit that follows. 

All of Nature changes. . . Winter is rest here in the forest and the mountains for most, and everything slows up and prepares for a new cycle.  All except Man.  He forges head long into the Seasons as a mad bull, trying to conquer the Winds and stop the changes. 
The hidden places in the dense forest stand naked and revealed as the falling leaves bare her secrets, treasures are easily found now, the Eagle nests, the beautiful stones, acorns and pine cones. 

Yes, Autumn is here and if you sit still and listen carefully you will hear Summer tip toeing away. . . of course the unknowing ones will say, "Oh, that is just the sound of leaves falling!". . . but our Old One says, ". . . shhhhhh.... life has begun to renew itself already, it is another time and another season, it does not stop because you do not know yet." 

Oh how I love these Mountains, my beginning and my end.  The Trees grow tall and straight here; the rhododendrons stay green all year; the Hawk guides me; the Spirit here feeds my Being wherever I may be! 

Take your moments here and store them for the dark winter days and long nights; they will paint your dreams and your visions will unfold, even as now you cannot remember them!  Take courage form here and allow your life to flow without fear.  The Cherokee have learned that all life moves in a great cycle and everything returns to where it begins.  If your faith is weak I give you mine to hold to until the dust is out of your eyes.  Look around you and see only your blessings and the sky will open its store house upon you and yours.  Walk in respect of all life and yours will be free from burdens and pain.  Be caring and nurturing to all creation and you will never fear death.  Breathe in life from here and fill your heart with the wisdom of our Ancient Ones, and true enlightenment will come. 

I have shared my time here with you, you in your space and me in mine.  I first asked why I cannot have these days to myself, and a familiar voice said back to me. . . "where are you separate from the People?  Do they not live within your thoughts and heart?  And you in theirs?  As you walk among them in the Forest while they seek Vision here where I have walked with you, do you not leave time and gather dreams?  As you move into their Sacred Spaces do you not feel their hearts reach out in acknowledgment of your presence?  I have said to you in this place, see there we are like that great Tree, our roots in the mother feed us, the Nuwati is our trunk, and we are the branches.  The leaves are the season's growth.  Remember this?  Where could you go that they would not come. . . just as you have returned her to me. . . so will they always return with you, they are in your heart and you theirs always and everywhere.  You are home in the Forest, guard them as they reach out to the Spirit of their Being.  They too are renewing and life comes offering the feast that is in the harvest of their hopes and dreams." 

"Yes Grandmother," I reply, "it is good to have them to share this land with.  We will gather all the memories and tell the stories and these Mountains will be in our hearts long after they stand here no more."