At this time of year, right through until early February, I light a lot of candles. It’s not that I mind the gloomy winter months (though I’m glad to see the back of them in March); it’s that candlelight gives a special quality that no amount of ambient lighting manages to replicate.

Deep down, we already know this. You fancy a romantic dinner for two? Out come the candles. Candles make us beautiful, mysterious. They have a warm sensuous glow. I don’t want my beloved to see me, spots, warts, wrinkles and all in the dazzling bright light of a 200watt megbulb. And maybe, just maybe, that’s how the earth feels too.

The wonderful golden shades of autumn get us in the mood. The trees gradually lose their leaves and even evergreens seem to grow darker, more sombre. By the time we reach Halloween/Samhain, the earth is old, its harvest mostly gathered. It needs its shadows, its candlelight. With them it becomes loving and mysterious once more.

Sometimes by being more aware of what’s really happening around us we can find ways of making the most of each change in the cycle of the seasons. So rather than dread the coming dark, cold months, I’m going to resolve to light more candles instead!