Mallorca in November

Mallorca in November: turning in

After a long, beautiful summer to enjoy the many beaches, the large variety of beautiful events offered and the breath-taking sunsets, the island had become very dry and yellow and if it were not for the ever changing blues and turquoise of the ocean, the colour palette of summer would appear limited to the bright blue sky, the consistent green of the pines at the coast and the loud dots of pinks and reds from the ever blooming Bougainvillea.

When we reach November, we are not only happy and grateful for a lush season but are also looking forward to some rest and re-charging. The island is in need of rain; it is dry at the end of the hot summer. The first rains come down in October, slowly but surely transforming the brisk yellow landscape into a greener one. With these first rains, the second season of oranges, mandarins and lemons soak up the water, filling it´s sun spoilt fruits with the much needed moisture. The pomegranates, whose lively red blossoms have reminded us of their existence all through October, are now bursting and ripe and may be the most delicious and surprising fruit of November.

The temperature has cooled down and the days are getting shorter. Despite the rain filled clouds that colour the sky quite grey at times, not a day passes without the sun shining through at least once a day, as if to remind us of it´s presence. The shorter days, dimmer light and cooler evenings lead us inwards, to the heat and comfort of the fire place, it invites us to watch it´s flames and listen to it´s song.

To many the darker season brings up emotions of sadness and loneliness. I often feel that it is simply the slowing down, the moving inwards that causes this sensation. With less distractions, we maybe a little puzzled at first and a little lost within the silence and the darkness.

To me, the winter is a time to reminisce and it often brings back memories of past encounters, of past experiences. In drifting back and recalling the many, many people that have moved in, through and out of my life, I realise how important and healing closure has been for me.

With closure I mean a conscious separation, an intentional unweaving of ties that were once made. Drifting through my memories I noticed that the ones with which I was able to find closure are a source of calmness and gratitude for the experience made.

During the course of our lives we get involved, entangled and tied up in so many ways with and to so many things and people and simply by living, we often move on without untying the knots.
In this haste that may not be intentionally careless but simply practical, it is easy to forget to loosen some ties.

This can burden us with regret, it can lead to hurt feelings and disappointment. Yet it reflects the world we live in today, our movements are quick and often spontaneous, connecting with so many that it is maybe impossible to honour each and every single connection. And still I try, simply because it keeps me in the present and it keeps me aware of whom I become entangle with, trying to make conscious connections, fruitful and intentional ties that enrich my life, my experience. When it is time to release each other, for endless reasons or simply because the heart knows when what was to be shared has been shared I remember that love is always love. No untying will change that. Love can change it´s form, it can be angry, it can need time and space, but it will always be love, it will always have the purest intentions, whether we heed to them or not.

By gracefully releasing what no longer serves me, what no longer supports me in my growth, I acknowledge the importance it has had on my journey. If I can let it go with the best intentions, sending it off with the very best wishes for it´s future, I know that I have untied the knots carefully, lovingly.

Many have a great resistance to releasing the summer with it´s light, with it´s warmth and dread the season that lies ahead. Taking some time to reminisce and linger in the many beautiful experiences that this last season has brought, can make it easier to put it to rest, to accept it´s passing and now be open to receiving the many gifts this winter season has to offer.

I look forward to it´s rain, to the lushness it brings to the landscape, to the freshness in the air and to the endless discoveries that can be made walking this Islands Mountains and it´s breath-taking coast.

May this season bring you beautiful new connections and kind and gentle unweaving.