When the nights draw in…

Here in the UK, we’ve just changed our clocks, which means it gets dark SO much earlier. Mr Squidge hates this time of year, probably because when he was working regular office hours, he used to leave the house before it got light, got home again after it got dark, and saw very little daylight in between.

I have mixed feelings. The nights draw in, yes, but there’s often a crispness to the air, a more golden light in the sun, an explosion of colour as leaves develop autumn hues, and berries hang thick on the branches. It’s the time of glowing stoves and sparkling lights, (fireworks and Diwali and preparations for Christmas) cuddly jumpers and woolly scarves, soft candlelight, and cosy quilts.

It’s a transition phase. A time to prepare for the cold and the dark we know is just around the corner (although it’s more likely to be wet and mild in the current climate crisis). I’ve always loved that aspect of temperate seasons - the constancy of change, which reminds us of the great circle of life and death.

In the same way, we’re at a critical point of transition for our planet. COP26 is being held in Glasgow as I write, and the thought of this precious seasonality being lost due to humankind’s actions and the impact we’ve had on climate worldwide fills me with immense fear.

I have to remain hopeful, though - that although we may be experiencing something akin to Earth’s autumn now, and may face a Winter, it will not be long or permanent, like in Narnia. With effort and commitment around the globe, Spring will come again - Nature will heal if we allow it the chance to do so.

I’m praying for real commitment to change from our world’s leaders.