I visited California's Napa country many Septembers ago during harvest time.  Ten years and counting, I still remember the beauty of the deep oranges, greens and burgundy colors, and the rich fragrance of wine blanketing the valley.  The fields heavy with luscious ripening fruit made every breath like sipping an earthy glass of wine. The days warm and golden and the cooling nights whispering of winter's coming tendrils.  Bring in the harvest.
 
September is always a time of preparation for me.  Harvest time is at its peak and like many in the animal kingdom, we set things aside for the winter time ahead.  On some Medicine Wheels, the west represents Autumn.  It is a time of the setting sun, of reaping what we have sown in life and enjoying the fruits of our many seasons of work.  It is a time for feasting! The western sun setting in a blaze of glory catches our breath blessing our hearts.    
 
Harvest time is a time of assessment.  The frantic pace of planting and tending our crops shifts focus to taking stock of where we are, what we have and what we will need in the winter months ahead.  We  look at how well our garden grew this year and think of years gone by.  Do we plant the same crops next year, or is it time to rotate some fields, or even leave some fallow for a season of rest?    September is a time of possibilities.  Within each fruit that we harvest lies next year's seed. 
 
Take some time out to enjoy this season of plenty.  Savor the last of the heirloom tomatoes, the sweet, buttery corn and that glass of smooth wine.  Bless your family, friends, the world around us, and don't forget, bless yourself! ~ Ana

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