​“The point of marriage is not to create a quick commonality by tearing down all boundaries; on the contrary, a good marriage is one in which each partner appoints the other to be the guardian of his solitude, and thus they show each other the greatest possible trust. A merging of two people is an impossibility, and where it seems to exist, it is a hemming-in, a mutual consent that robs one party or both parties of their fullest freedom and development. But once the realization is accepted that even between the closest people infinite distances exist, a marvelous living side-by-side can grow up for them, if they succeed in loving the expanse between them, which gives them the possibility of always seeing each other as a whole and before an immense sky.”  --Rainer Maria Rilke

Two friends of mine are celebrating their wedding anniversary. I was the Officiant, who witnessed and authorized their vows. They have always been in This Place in their union, 'Guardians of each others Solitude'.
This post is a tribute to them. This is no easy task, and yet is everything.

In these northern latitudes, we name the seasons in fours: Spring, Summer, Autumn, Winter.
By naming them, we believe we know them and don't look back over our shoulder to see what else might be true.
Aborigines of Australian latitudes experience the seasons as six, in pairs. When I look over my shoulder, there they are, in pairs, even here.
By looking again, New Meaning presents. New Meaning brings Greater Value. That's how the world gets created anew.

We are definitely in Late Summer: August/ September.
The ripening of what is already set. New seeds for the next season ready to drop down to the earth's floor, dig deep into the dirt, and 'think about' their new legacy through the winter's storms, protected by the mantle of snow.

And the rest of the seasons present. Awaiting their turns. Awaiting the deliverance of their wisdom.
Autumn: October/ November. Any life form that must fade away, drops off, is released. The life that continues prepares for withstanding the freezing temps.
Deep Winter: December/ January. Reduced Light and Heat. Introspection. Darkness. Pause.
Early Spring: February/ March. The beginning of the Quickening. Life Force starting its rising. New leaf beginnings. Signs of Life remembering itself.
Full Spring: April/ May. The cacophony of Life Force Rising. Spring Green in all shades. New Tendrils appearing through dirt, through snow, whatever it needs to move through in order reach towards the Light.
Early Summer: June/ July. Long days. Oncoming Heat. Unfolding of last season's seed promise, even as the next year's seed promise is formed.

And then, in the great wisdom of the earth as a living system, we're back again, but not to the same place. Back again to a place we've never been before. As we move into this new Late Summer season, what is here that is Brand New. How can I use that New Wisdom to thrive in my own life, and to feed my Collectives to hold themselves in a new, more Joyful Way.