Fall in love with Autumn

Welcoming Fall

September 22nd, the official autumnal equinox. The day that fall officially arrives in the Northern Hemisphere. This morning when I walked outside it hit me in the face. Not the humidity that has been so oppressive for the last few months, but cooler air. The hint that fall weather is on its way! Three months to enjoy the scents, tastes, and beauty of the season. I consider fall to be one of my favorite times of the year, primarily because with it brings amazing colors, as trees put on a show before their leaves blanket the ground. However, I also love sweater weather and of course family gatherings that are just around the corner.

“Autumn is a second spring when every leaf is a flower.”
– ALBERT CAMUS


Why do Autumn Leaves Change Color?
Now most of you probably do not want a lesson in and remember enough to know that through the wonder of photosynthesis and chlorophyll, plants turn sunlight into glucose. In turn chlorophyll cells, which saturate the leaves, almost magically appear green to the naked eye during the longer days of late spring and summer.


When the days begin to get shorten, the production of Chlorophyll slows to a halt. This eventually gives way to the ‘true’ color of the leaf, and the presence of other compounds known as carotenoids and anthocyanins are seen.


Oranges: Beta-Carotene
Beta-Carotene is one of the most common carotenoids present in most leaves. Strongly absorbing blue and green light, it reflects yellow and red light from the sun, giving leaves their orange hue.


Reds: Anthocyanins
Unlike the carotenoids, anthocyanin production increases dramatically with autumn. This protects the leaf, prolonging its life on the tree through the Autumn season, and also provides the beautiful red color to the leaf.



Yellows: Flavonols
Part of the flavonoid family, these are always present in leaves. They are not seen until the production of Chlorophyll stops and is broken down into other compounds.


We can take a lesson or two from the way our planet Earth teaches recycling and waste very little. Many plants, including trees, must protect themselves in order to get through the harsh, freezing temperatures of winter.
In order to cope with long winter temperatures, trees slowly close off the veins that carry water and nutrients to and from the leaves. They build a layer of new cells formed at the base of the leaf stem, protecting the limbs and body of the tree. Once the process of new cell creation is complete, water and nutrients no longer flow to and from the leaf – this enables the leaf to die and weaken at the stem, eventually falling gracefully to the ground. The story isn’t over since these dead leaves still have another purpose as they begin the slow process of decomposition. Over time leaves and other decomposing plant material break down, absorb dew and rainfall, creating a continued source of nutrients and moisture for growth the next year.

So, the next time you see that colorful leaf gracefully falling to the ground; stop and think about what a beautiful and amazingly created world we live in! Ask yourself how you can become more conscious about the environment and possibly repurpose the things you own.

Enjoy and embrace this season of change.
Fall in love with Autumn!

Want to bring the warm scents of fall indoors?
Try this blend in your diffuser and enjoy!
• 2 drops of sweet orange oil
• 2 drops of clove bud oil
• 1 drop of cinnamon cassia oil
• 1 drop of cinnamon bark oil

Blessings!
Lynn