Confronting Death and Navigating Our Emotional Waters

Harvest, shorter days, autumn, fall. When Persephone is called back to the Underworld, when we are confronted with shadows, when the earth begins to prepare for it’s winter slumber. A time of year when we are asked to confront death whether figuratively, metaphorically, symbolically or literally. Many of us associate this season with reflection and nostalgia. For some this is a comforting time, for others it can be emotionally overwhelming and even painful. Death, whether literal or symbolic represents a time of change, a significant transition in our lives, a time of loss and a time of mourning. A time of process into renewal. In order to be transformed by this inevitable process, we must lean in to mourn what once was and embrace what we might be becoming. 

When we avoid this inevitable life truth, much like avoiding our difficult feelings, we can feel overwhelmed, overpowered or consumed. We might feel lost or as if we have become stuck. Traditions and rituals can help steward the deep and difficult feelings surrounding literal and metaphorical death. Whether it be decorations, lighting a candle for our ancestors, framing their pictures for us to honor, or simply hanging holiday lights to guide us through the shadowy parts of the year, these efforts with intention can bring such comfort and help to process the difficult feelings that may coincide with such profound times.

In the tarot, astrology and even our dreams water represents our emotional life. When we ignore our emotional life, it can become stagnant much like still water, it can become overwhelming or consuming like a tidal wave, it can become closed or damned up, or we can feel as if we are drowning. When we create symbolic rituals in our life, engage in expressive or creative activities such as art making, listening to cathartic music, cooking comforting meals, we are taking time to honor our life’s seasons. In this way, we act as a steward to our emotional waters providing a sense of containment, guidance and power as the emotions move through us allowing us to transform and be changed. The fall season can be a helpful time to engage in such activities, to honor your feelings, to practice mindfulness of what has changed, what has been lost and what is becoming.

Danielle Kardum, LMFT 114847

she/her

Thrive Therapy and Counseling

https://thrivetherapyandcounseling.com/danielle-kardum

916-287-3430