Even though the days are growing shorter and winter is on the way, autumn is the favorite season for many of us. Mornings are brisk and the air smells different. Autumn is a time of change. We change our routines and we change over our wardrobes to clothes that make us feel cozy. But, of course, it’s the colorful leaves that make the season and highlights this special betwixt and between time of year.
      From the time they burst forth in the spring until the wind whisks them away, leaves enfold the world with an aerial enchantment that is amplified in autumn. On cloudy days the bright yellow and orange leaves seem to glow with an inner incandescence. A gentle breeze lets them drift to the ground and then stirs them into small piles under shrubs or into corners of buildings. When I was growing up, raking leaves was a family affair. Working together, we created large mounds that were soon scattered as we ran and jumped into them like we were cannonballing into a swimming pool. Even though the decades have curtailed my jumping into them, I still love plowing through an almost knee-deep layer, kicking up a flurry of leaves as I go. It’s a simple joy that I will never outgrow, perhaps because it connects me with the season in a joyful way.
      Magically, leaves personify energy and growth in the spring when everything is bursting forth and new. Leaves give our magic and personal endeavors an encouraging boost. Providing protection and concealment, leaves can be used in spells for these attributes, as well. But it’s in the autumn, when leaves give us another look at their beauty and another attribute to consider. When trees let go of their leaves, it’s a sign that it may be a good time for us to let go of things that may be holding us back or weighing us down. Perhaps that’s why autumn feels so uplifting. Just let go and trust in the joyful magic that surrounds you.