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Summary

In this episode, Françoise reflects on the shift of energy that comes with the autumn equinox and how we can align more fluidly with this season. She explores the wisdom of the bear on the medicine wheel, seasonal foods and skincare practices, and ways to set spiritual intentions for fall. Journal prompts are offered to help you deepen your connection to this contemplative season.

Keywords

Autumn equinox, seasonal living, medicine wheel, bear energy, midlife, perimenopause, seasonal food, skincare, abhyanga, ritual, grounding, harvest, intention, self-care

Takeaways

• Autumn is a time of winding down, shifting from outward yang energy into a more inward, grounding rhythm.

• The Native American medicine wheel connects autumn with the bear—symbolizing contemplation, rest, and inner renewal.

• Adjusting food and skincare to align with the season supports both body and spirit: warming foods, nourishing oils, and grounding herbs.

• Autumn is an ideal season for setting intentions and honoring transitions.

• Embracing endings as part of a natural cycle helps us move through midlife changes with more ease.

Full Transcript

Hello and happy autumn equinox. We are officially in the fall season now, and I want to share a few reflections on how you can use this time to move more fluidly and calmly through life.

Even though I grew up on the East Coast and now live on the West Coast, I still feel the shift in the earth’s energy at this time of year—and in my own body. The equinox is an invitation to notice these changes, to align with them, and in doing so, to live in deeper harmony with ourselves.

The Shift of Energy

As summer winds down—usually around mid-to-late August—the earth’s energy begins to pivot. Spring and summer bring upward, outward, yang energy: lively, social, expansive. But at the equinox, that energy starts to descend. It softens. Suddenly, the impulse to go out and do gives way to the desire to turn inward. Cozy sweaters, warm tea, time to rest—it all feels natural.

This is not a season to resist. It’s a season to flow with. By honoring this slowing down, we nurture ourselves in the same rhythm that nature follows.

The Bear on the Medicine Wheel

Many Native American traditions describe autumn on the medicine wheel as the season of the bear. In summer, the bear gathers food, berries, and strength. Come fall, it retreats to its cave for rest and contemplation.

For us, this can mean gathering what we’ve harvested—ideas, lessons, experiences—and bringing them inward. It’s a time for grounding, sitting with what we’ve learned, and allowing it to transform quietly within.

Nourishing the Body

This shift shows up in our bodies too. In summer, lighter foods—raw salads, crisp fruits, refreshing juices—feel right. But in autumn, our bodies crave something different.

• Cooking methods: move from raw to lightly steamed, sautéed, or roasted.

• Seasonal foods: squashes, apples, pears, chestnuts, pumpkins, pomegranates.

• Warming spices & herbs: cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, rosemary, thyme, sage.

• Hydration & fats: dryness increases in autumn, especially in midlife. Extra water and healthy fats help keep skin supple, joints mobile, and tissues nourished.

Caring for the Skin

Just as we move from light foods to warming ones, our skin also benefits from more protective care. Where a light lotion may have sufficed in summer, autumn calls for richer oils or balms that cocoon the skin.

A beautiful practice is Abhyanga, the Ayurvedic tradition of pre-shower self-massage with oil. Traditionally done with sesame oil, it can also be adapted with jojoba or sacha inchi oil. This protects the skin from hot water, locks in moisture, and offers a grounding ritual of self-nurturing.

Turning to Spirit

Spiritually, autumn often feels heavier. For those of us in midlife, it can stir questions, transitions, and emotions. The invitation is to sit with these—not to fear them, but to honor them as part of the rhythm of life.

My personal intention this autumn is comfort—to embody it, feel it, and live into it. You might choose connection, rest, or clarity. Whatever speaks to you, set an intention and let it guide you through this season.

I’ve always found autumn to be a mystical time. The moon is full and luminous, harvests are abundant, and the natural world reminds us that endings are not final—they are simply part of the cycle of renewal.

Journal Prompts for the Season

If you’d like to take this deeper, here are a few reflections to sit with:

1. What did I harvest this summer, and what do I want to contemplate this fall?

2. When I live in harmony with the autumn season, how does this feel in my body?

3. If I were a bear going into my cave, what would I bring with me?

4. How can I honor the autumn harvest right now?

This last one might be as simple as preparing a seasonal meal, lighting a candle with a scent that feels like fall, or wrapping yourself in a sweater and savoring a cup of tea.

Closing

The equinox is a reminder that rest and turning inward are just as vital as growth and outward expression. As you move into this season, may you find the grounding, comfort, and contemplation that will carry you through the months ahead.

Happy autumn equinox.