Happy Wednesday, Reader!

I’m currently a little obsessed with digging through vintage and public domain works of art, and I found this beautiful piece from around 1900 while poking around one of the archives.

Maybe it’s because we live in a world of instant gratification and fast-paced content, but looking through old paintings and drawings has me thinking about how long we’ve been doing things the analog way.

As we move into the fast paced 'ber' months, I’m finding myself really appreciating the slowness that was required to produce these works of art. Someone had to sit with an idea, sketch it, mix the colors, make choices, change their mind, keep working...

It required time and attention.

And maybe this is hitting me particularly hard because autumn is always the time of year when my own creativity seems to really come to life.

I’ve been doing Drawtober every October for more than 15 years, and my journals, which tend to get a little neglected during the busyness of summer, start filling up again from September through December. 🖋️📓

I relish waking up early, lighting a woodwick candle (the ones that make that spectacular cracking sound), drinking creamy (decaf) coffee and letting the ink flow or pencil scratch... 😌

I’m already finding myself stepping back into that rhythm.

The artwork here is called Autumn Scattering Leaves by American artist John La Farge, and was created around 1900 in watercolor and gouache. I especially love that La Farge was also known for his stained-glass work and for experimenting with color and light, which feels especially fitting for the Equinox.

And that’s part of what I’m craving as we move into fall too...

a little less speed and a little more time spent making, noticing, and being with what’s right in front of me.

And I also just love the title of the piece: Autumn Scattering Leaves.

There’s something so romantic about that description of this particular time of year. 🤎 Things really do begin to scatter. Leaves, seeds, the weather that offers bits of summer. The landscape starts to look a little more sparse. Even I feel a bit scattered as schedules change and we settle into fall. 🤭

That’s part of what this seasonal transition asks of us too. To notice what’s beginning to fall away, what we’re ready to release, and what we want to gather closer as we move into the next season. This painting is the inspiration behind this week's nature connection invitation...

🌿 This week's Invitation

Find a place outside where you can notice some evidence of things beginning to scatter.

Leaves on the ground, seeds breaking loose, petals dropping, grasses drying, or maybe a tree becoming a little more open to the sky.

Spend a few minutes there and notice what this 'in between' season looks like where you are.

Then, if it feels useful, carry these questions with you:

What am I ready to let scatter?​
​What do I want to gather closer as I move into autumn?

No need to force an answer. Just see what comes up when you give yourself a little space to notice.

Crossing Into Autumn - Equinox Evening Event 🍂

If you’d like to mark the transition together, I’m gathering a small group in Forest Park next Tuesday evening, September 22 for Crossing Into Autumn: Equinox Evening Forest Bathing + Autumn Ritual.

We’ll gather in community for a little guided Forest Bathing + Nature Therapy, then move into seasonal reflection around what we’re harvesting from the year so far, what we want to carry with us into autumn, and what we’re ready to let go of. There will be time to share, witness one another, and connect with the group before we move into a simple releasing ritual and create a special token to take home, mark this transition, and keep as a reminder throughout the fall. We’ll close the evening together over tea and light seasonal refreshments.

Tuesday, September 22​
6:00 - 8:00pm
Forest Park, St. Louis

There will be a sunset, a little ritual, and yes, a touch of seasonal woo. 😉 No previous Forest Bathing experience is needed. Come as you are.

More nature, less screen time this September? 🌿

If that’s part of what you’re leaning into this month, you can still join me for September Sundays in Nature.

We’ll be at Laumeier Sculpture Park this Sunday and Cliff Cave Park the following Sunday, and these mornings have been such a lovely way to slow down, spend time in community, and start the week outside.

If you’d like to join us for one or both of the remaining sessions, you can still grab a 2-session pass for $65, or by request, I’ve also opened up a single-session drop-in ticket for $38 if you only have time for one Sunday - just reply to this email if you'd like the link to join a single session.

If you’re marking the Equinox at home...

If you won’t be joining me in Forest Park, you can still make a little space to mark the change of season wherever you are.

A few years ago I put together five nature-infused ways to celebrate the Autumn Equinox at home, and they’re still some of my favorite simple ways to acknowledge the turning of the season.

​FIND THE AUTUMN EQUINOX RITUALS →​

However you mark it, I hope you find a little time this week to notice what’s scattering, what’s staying, and what you want to carry with you into autumn.

In Peace and Presence,
Jess 🦌

Jess Thenhaus 🌿 Nature Based Wellness Coach | NBHWC, CHHC Certified Forest & Nature Therapy Guide | ANFT 🫶Helping you cultivate presence, margin & intentionality in your life. CONNECT WITH JESS → Forwarded this email? Subscribe Here for more

🍂 Autumn Rhythm Reset Women's Circle is opening for enrollment soon! Join the waitlist to get access to early bird pricing discounts and bonuses! After the spring women's circle filled so quickly, I knew I wanted to create a fall version with more time for people to plan. This 5-week women’s series will open and close with full moon bonfire circles, and include three weeks of Sunday autumn forest bathing in local St. Louis green spaces in between. A small-group seasonal reset for women who are craving more presence, connection, and rhythm as we move into fall. ​ 👉 Join the waitlist here. This will be a very small group and I expect it to fill quickly.

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