OCTOBER - ASSU
October is a month of transformation. A time when the rhythm of the year shifts yet again. In the Northern Hemisphere, autumn deepens, painting the world in hues of amber, scarlet, and gold. Meanwhile, in the Southern Hemisphere, spring unfurls its splendour, bringing bursts of colour and new growth.
In the north, the trees shed their summer attire. Leaves fall like whispers, carpeting the earth with vibrant shades. The crispness of the air intensifies, mornings draped in mist, evenings arriving sooner as daylight retreats. Sweaters and scarves emerge from closets, and the scent of woodsmoke lingers. It’s a time for quiet reflection, for enjoying the fleeting beauty of the season before winter claims the land.
In the southern hemisphere, October breathes life into the earth. Blooms burst forth in a symphony of colours, from delicate pinks to fiery reds. The warmth of the sun grows stronger, yet the mornings and evenings retain a soft coolness. People gather outdoors, relishing the perfect balance between the departing chill of winter and the promise of summer heat. It’s a season of beginnings – of planting seeds, of nurturing growth, of watching nature awaken.
In Punjab, October aligns with Assu, a month that carries a special rhythm. Assu lies at the intersection of autumn’s end and winter’s beginning, a moment when the land prepares for its next cycle of life. It is a time of reflection and gratitude, as farmers look back on the harvests of Bhadon and ahead to the planting of Rabi crops - the grain crop sown in winter, and harvested in the spring.
In this month, the days are warm but no longer scalding, the nights cool yet not biting. The earth feels alive with potential, its surface soft and ready to embrace new seeds. Farmers begin ploughing their fields, breaking the soil to prepare it for wheat and barley. The dry fields, now cleared of previous harvests, await the first watering, a ritual as old as Punjab itself.
Assu is not merely about farming; it’s about transition. The landscape transforms as the trees shed their old leaves, making way for fresh growth. The rivers, still swollen from the monsoon rains, flow steadily, their waters a lifeline for farmers preparing their fields. The sounds of life fill the air – the creak of wooden ploughs, the chatter of farmers, the songs of migratory birds making their way to Punjab for the cooler months.
In the villages, Assu marks a time of connection. Villagers share meals made from the previous harvest’s bounty, dishes rich with the flavours of autumn. The markets brim with fresh produce – the last of the monsoon’s fruits and the first crops of the cooler season. It’s a time for celebrating the balance of nature, of recognising the efforts that sustain life.
Even in the cities, Assu’s presence is felt. The air is lighter, the oppressive heat of summer replaced by a gentle warmth. People embrace the season, taking long walks, visiting gardens, and enjoying the atmosphere that often accompanies Assu. In Punjab, this is also the time when preparations for Diwali begin. The aroma of sweets fills homes, lamps are cleaned and polished, and markets buzz with the anticipation of celebration.
Assu is a month of balance. Between the toil of sowing and the calm of waiting. Between the fading memories of summer and the cool promise of winter. It’s a time of renewal – a moment to honour the land, to sow the seeds of tomorrow, and to trust in the cycles that guide life.
As October deepens, so does Assu, leading the people of Punjab into a season of quiet growth and steadfast hope. It’s a month that reminds us to embrace change, to prepare for what lies ahead, and to cherish the beauty of the present moment. For in Assu, the promise of a new season begins to take root, ready to blossom in the months to come.
A depiction of farmers harvesting cotton in Assu. The cotton crops are most commonly farmed in south- east Punjab (the Malwa region of Punjab, India), and are typically harvested in the end of Bhadon or beginning of Assu - before the farmers prepare the fields for the sowing of the winter crops.
In Assu, may we reflect on the year’s growth and the bounty that follows. Until next time, Trish Saab