Instincts

August September October, these months bring thoughts of falling leaves, going back to school, cool crisp air, arts and craft shows and so much more. Traditionally its the harvest season and by October all the food for the winter months should be up and stored in a cool dry place. At the end of October the air turns to a crispness as it prepares us for winter. The grass turns brown and leaves have fallen, birds have started to migrate south to warmer places. Everything has the appearance of being dead. If thats so, then why is there excitement in the air?

When I lived in the Northern climate this was the time of year the deer and elk started to go into rut. I too notice that there seems to be this overwhelming "thing" that drives me to be homesick and more passionate at this time of year every year. Could it be that we as people do have instincts that follow the seasons? We always say follow your instincts, but what does that mean? Is a hunch an instinct? or a feeling? Lets look at the definition of the word.


instinct (n.) An inborn pattern of behavior that is characteristic of a species and is often a response to specific environmental stimuli: the spawning instinct in salmon; altruistic instincts in social animals. instinct (n.) A powerful motivation or impulse.

1. Natural inward impulse; unconscious, involuntary, or unreasoning prompting to any mode of action, whether bodily, or mental, without a distinct apprehension of the end or object to be accomplished.
An instinct is a propensity prior to experience, and independent of instructions. --Paley.
An instinct is a blind tendency to some mode of action, independent of any consideration, on the part of the agent, of the end to which the action leads. --Whately.
An instinct is an agent which performs blindly and ignorantly a work of intelligence and knowledge. --Sir W. Hamilton.
By a divine instinct, men's minds mistrust Ensuing dangers. --Shak.
2. (Zo["o]l.) Specif., the natural, unreasoning, impulse by which an animal is guided to the performance of any action, without of improvement in the method.
The resemblance between what originally was a habit, and an instinct becomes so close as not to be distinguished. --Darwin.
3. A natural aptitude or knack; a predilection; as, an instinct for order; to be modest by instinct.
Source: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)

Taking these examples can you say you have them? I always want to start hording food in the fall. I also get this unbelievable urge to make blankets. Being in the south that is a bit over the top but I was raised in the north. My instincts tell me to gather and prepare. Around here people gather and prepare in the summer. Its just something that happens.
In any case, all Im saying is that we are one with the earth. The areas we live in and the climate seems to dictate our activity more than we might think. Listen to your instincts and observe them in afterthought. It is another excellent way to learn about yourself