Hello Friends, September 22nd is the equinox this year. That means it is autumn here in the northern hemisphere, which is my favorite time of year. I love both equinoxes, actually—the solstices, too—but autumn is special. First of all, I was born around this time of year. Second, for a nerdy, bookish, neurostrange child who read their way around the Summer Reading Challenge board at the library multiple times, it meant school supplies! More books! Studying things! As an adult, I love the shortening days, and the shift in light. The cooler breezes. The promise of falling leaves and boots weather. I use the equinoxes as a time to pause and take stock. What is important in my life? How much effort, time, and energy am I spending toward what is important? What needs to fall away? How can I slow down (for autumn) or speed up (for spring)? Equinox is a time of equal day and night. It is a rare moment of balance. Slowing down inside, and taking several long, contemplative breaths reminds me that I have my own balance points. Equanimity. A state of composure and feeling of centeredness even in the midst of upheaval. Equanimity is a state that meditation or prayer, listening to music or dancing, or getting into the creative flow can induce. Equanimity is something we can practice, but not something we can strive for. We practice around it, we learn to re-center, and sometimes? States of equanimity arrive. Just like the equinox, we are balanced, if only for one moment in time. Blessings of the gifts of this time of year, wherever you are. wishing you well — Thorn Love Fantasy and Science Fiction? Kobo is having a big SFF event that includes two of my books! Kobo also has an all-you-can-read subscription platform called KoboPlus that I encourage you to check out! It's $7.99 a month. My Kickstarter ends on Tuesday September 24th! Want some cozy corgis solving crime? Head to: Pride Street - The Corgis Return.
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Hello Friends, Years ago, I used to boast that the only times I’d been to Las Vegas were while passing through en route to protest at the Nevada Nuclear Test Site. I can’t say that anymore. These days, I go to Vegas far more often than I ever wanted to, which was never. I don’t go to shows while there. I don’t gamble. And since my brain injury, I don’t even drink alcohol. Also, I’m an introvert who dislikes crowds and noise, cigarette smoke, and desert air. I know some people love it, but for...
Hello Friends, The day before the big US election, I went for a walk as usual. A flash caught my eye. It was a quartz crystal, resting on the sidewalk, autumn sun shining through it. The crystal cast a shadow that looked like a stretched out crescent moon. It was beautiful. After snapping a photo, I thanked the crystal—yes, I’m more than a bit of an animist—and settled it against a bit of moss, figuring it would be safer there. I keep thinking about that crystal. I keep thinking about how it...
Hello Friends, This newsletter is going out on Dia de los Muertes, just after Halloween and Samhain. I hope that however you honor this season you are well, and not feeling too overwhelmed. A lot of people are overwhelmed right now. I know that my own focus isn't the best, though I'm enjoying the rain that just arrived, and the novel I'm currently working on, as well as the two non-fiction projects currently on my desk. When I find my attention fracturing, or the doom scrolling beginning, I...