Pumpkin spice, riding boots and cozy sweaters, football games, pumpkin-flavored beers, knitted scarves, apple picking and pumpkin patches and everything “fall” seem to be surfacing earlier and earlier as years go on. Since I had my first homecoming as a freshman in high school, the autumn season was my absolute favorite time of the year. The comfy clothes, hot drinks, and, as I got older, fall beers on a football Sunday afternoon became a regular part of my fall routine. New beginnings came with the start of a new school year, and a chance to start over with the exciting change of scenery around us. There was something magical about this time of year for me.

It seems however, just like with the rest of every other seasonal and holiday decorations and festivities, everything “fall” is emerging earlier and earlier each season. And by earlier I mean…the beginning of September.

Coming from someone who loves fall as much as the next “basic” girl, I’m sorry not sorry, but September is entirely too early to start sporting anything having to do with hay rides, pumpkins and riding boots. I won’t even have my first pumpkin spice anything until October 1^st (and yes, I know the first day of Autumnal Equinox is in late September). For me, fall doesn’t happen until that very first day of October, but when it does, it’s in full swing.

Why wish it away when there are so many more magical aspects of autumn than most people even know? Beginning in autumn, there are new stars visible in the sky. As the summer season departs, the earth is facing out into space, which gives us an opportunity to view our nearest neighbor galaxy, The Andromeda Galaxy. Cassiopeia, Pegasus and Cygnus also grace the night sky.

The crisp, cool air of fall brings clarity of vision, literally and spiritually. There is something about being outside on a beautiful fall day that calms the soul. The Jewish tradition of Yom Kippur, a tradition of cleansing toxins from the body and mind, and getting rid of negative patterns that don’t help us reach our goals, happens during this time, as well. Even if we don’t follow Jewish traditions, it’s a great mindset to keep as we roll into October.

According to Traditional Chinese Medicine, autumn is the season of the Metal element. The energy connected to Metal is drawn to beauty and inspired by purity. At the time when so many environmental elements are changing, we are driven by aspects of purity and beauty, and highly attuned to our surroundings. One of the organs connected to the Metal element is the large intestine, and aspects of removing toxins and waste. Fall is a time to start over, to organize your life, and practice letting go of wasteful energies. To enjoy nature and our surroundings, slowly, as they change before our eyes.

I just cannot allow my heart to begin these processes too early, and let myself rid of the autumn energy by mid October. The burnt orange, red and golden yellow leaves, bright full moons, bonfires in the crisp cool air are meant to be thoroughly enjoyed and admired. You can only do so many hay rides, pick so many pumpkins and drink so many pumpkin spice lattes before the magic disappears. Eventually, we get sick of wearing riding boots and oversized sweaters, and are wishing for 90-degree weather to return.

So sit back, relax and enjoy fall, y'all.