ATTUNING TO AUTUMN:Releasing, Reflecting, and Reconnecting with Nature
- Joanne Hakaraia
- Mar 22
- 4 min read
We are now entering autumn, a time of transition marked by the equinox—an auspicious period of balance and change. Nature, as always, reflects who we are, offering profound lessons if we choose to observe. By looking at the trees, the plants, and the shifts in the natural world, we can gain insight into our own inner rhythms and how we are being supported during this time.
Many trees are bearing fruit, signaling a season of harvest, while others are beginning to shed their leaves. Leaves that once thrived now wither and fall, naturally released by the tree. In the southern hemisphere, the temperature cools, the days grow darker, and Papatūānuku, Earth Mother, slows her pace—as if entering a period of rest. Nature’s rhythms guide us, mirroring our own cycles, yet we have largely forgotten how to live in harmony with these natural flows.
Over time, we have lost our connection to the land, to the rhythm of the earth. Disconnected from Papatūānuku, we also become detached from our bodies, our spirits, and our wairua. Seeking healing in external sources, we overlook the profound wisdom and balance that nature offers freely. Our ancestors did not rely on calendars or fixed dates but instead attuned themselves to the migrations of birds, the flowering of trees, and the cycles of fish like tuna. Nature guided them not only in their physical survival but also in understanding their emotions and inner experiences. Today, this disconnection contributes to widespread anxiety, depression, trauma, and imbalance.
But we can take small, simple steps to reconnect. This doesn’t mean living in the forest daily—it can be as simple as touching a plant, walking barefoot on the earth, or sitting quietly in nature for a few moments. In autumn, as the air cools, we can tune into Papatūānuku’s energy, feeling her mauri, her life force. Even just placing bare feet on the soil and breathing deeply can have a profound effect on our well-being. When we align with Earth Mother’s rhythm, we begin to stabilise, to ground ourselves in a deeper, more natural state of being.
Autumn is a time of introspection—a slowing down. As Papatūānuku cools and retreats inward, so should we. This is a season for reflection, for honouring transitions, for recognising what no longer serves us. The trees show us this wisdom as they release their leaves. The fallen leaves are not lost; they nourish the earth, making way for new life. In the same way, we must ask ourselves: What are we ready to let go of? What needs to be released so that new growth can emerge?
To support this process, consider grounding practices—visualising roots extending from your centre, through your legs, deep into the core of Papatūānuku. This practice stabilises us, enriching us with her sustenance. Trauma and anxiety often keep us trapped in the mind, overwhelmed by external noise and energy. But by reconnecting to the earth’s rhythm, through breath and grounding, we create space for healing and realignment. This may not happen overnight, but with consistent practice, we begin to vibrate in harmony with the earth’s mauri.
As we slow down, we begin to notice what is out of balance in our lives. Just as the trees shed what they no longer need, we too must release old patterns, beliefs, or energies that no longer serve us. This is the essence of healing—allowing ourselves to move with nature’s cycles, rather than resisting them.
Autumn is also a time of harvest. What are you harvesting in your life right now? The fruits of your labour, the lessons you have learned—what have you nurtured that is now coming to fruition? Are you seeing abundance, or do certain areas of your life need more care for the next season? Observing the trees around you, the fruits they bear, and the cycles of growth can provide deep guidance for your personal journey.
This is a season of gratitude, of reflection, of making space. The equinox invites us to honour transition by creating sacred time for ourselves—whether through journaling, sitting in stillness, or contemplating whakataukī (proverbs). How can you support yourself in slowing down? How can you align with nature’s rhythm rather than resisting it?
As the days darken, Ranginui, Sky Father, supports us in turning inward. This is not the time for outward expansion or rapid movement—it is a time for introspection, for gathering wisdom, for preparing the soil of our being for what is to come.
What are you ready to release? What do you wish to make space for?
Let this season be a guide. Slow down, listen, and trust in the wisdom of nature.
Here are some reflective questions to journal with:
Connecting with Nature & the Seasons
How is nature around you shifting as we move into autumn?
What can you learn from the trees shedding their leaves?
In what ways do you feel disconnected from nature, and how can you start to rebuild that connection?
Releasing & Letting Go
What habits, thoughts, or emotions no longer serve you?
What is one thing you are ready to release to make space for new growth?
How do you respond to change? Do you resist it, or do you flow with it like the cycles of nature?
Harvest & Gratitude
What are you harvesting in your life right now—physically, emotionally, or spiritually?
What seeds have you planted in previous seasons that are now bearing fruit?
How can you express gratitude for what you’ve cultivated and received?
Grounding & Presence
How can you slow down and align with the natural rhythm of autumn?
What simple daily practice can you incorporate to stay grounded and connected to Papatūānuku?
When was the last time you felt fully present with the earth? How did it feel?
Inner Reflection & Sacred Space
What does sacred space mean to you, and how can you create it in your daily life?
What emotions or insights arise when you sit in stillness with nature?
How does the transition into autumn mirror your own personal journey right now?
These questions can be used for journaling, meditation, and deep contemplation. ✨🍂
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