As we near the winter solstice – and the days are shorter and nights are longer – we have the opportunity to receive the gifts of the dark. From December through February, we are in a space that is well suited for reflection, letting go, and connecting to what truly matters. It is a time of cutting away what is false or outdated, and opening up to the truth that is waiting to shine through.
The playfulness and expansion of summer are behind you. The focus and hard work of fall are coming to a close. And the deep, centering quietness of winter is coming in. Like many things in the natural world, this is a time of hibernation/deep rest and going underground. In the dark earth we find nourishment. In our restfulness, we find rejuvenation. Here you can nurture the tender places within you and listen to the deep, wise voice inside – the one that can be hard to hear with so much going on.
Your deep inner well is where your most powerful guidance and authentic voice live.
This is an important time of deepening and insight. Of healing and clarity. There is much to receive if you allow yourself to. Sometimes we get lost in our own stories and busy lives, but now is a good time to take a step back and feel what is really here. The thoughts or feelings you’ve been ignoring, the truths you’ve been avoiding, and the ways you have been mistreating yourself may very well be revealed now. But remember, all of this is coming up to be respected and healed. This is a sacred opening into your own heart and soul – a time when the veils are thin and authenticity is compelling.
The truth is coming through and you can feel it when things are not honest or aligned.
Something I am seeing in my clients, friends, (and myself) right now is the experience of dawning realizations. This is a great example of how the fog gets cleared away at this time, and the truth comes through. For some, these realizations are sudden or precipitated by an event. For others, they have been a steady awakening that has finally broken through. Regardless of how these realizations come, they are here because we are ready to receive them.
In addition to the clarity and awareness, this time of year can activate a quiet courage that supports you in speaking the truth (to yourself and others), embracing your real experience (how you feel, what you need, what actually matters), and finding new ways of doing things that are more aligned for you. These insights and changes may not be comfortable, but they will ultimately create a life with more freedom, balance, and integrity. This may be a time of setting boundaries, of re-thinking your approach, or of just taking some time to rest and restore.
So why would you want to open up, listen, and go deep? Why would you want to align with the season? Because these things are essential for you health and wellbeing. We have cycles, just like nature does, and when we ignore or override them, we can create complications, dissatisfaction, illness, depression, overwhelm, breakdown, etc. The restoration, opening, and clarifying that happens in winter is what prepares us to take creative action in the spring. The spring is when we birth new ideas and ventures, and the success of these depends on how well we care for ourselves in the winter.
In our culture, we focus so much on *doing* that *being* is often underrated. It is important to have a balance, with an extra emphasis on *being* this time of year.
This does not mean you need to sit on your couch for the next month, but it does mean building in extra space and rest – in your life and also in your mind. Slow down your thoughts, find your breath, focus on one thing at a time, take space in between your activities, etc. What lives in *being* are very important ingredients for a full life: creative ideas, inspiration, intuition, clarity, emotional resonance, desire, ingenuity, etc. Let yourself access these things and you will ultimately find that your *doing* is more efficient and enjoyable.
Some examples of *being* activities:
- Taking a walk or visiting a beautiful spot in nature
- Writing in your journal (letting the words flow instead of using it as a way to stir up your mind)
- Sitting quietly with a cup of tea or spending time in contemplation
- Yoga
- Meditation
- Engaging in some kind of art or craft (again letting it flow rather than getting in your head)
- Listening to music
- Dancing
What do you feel most called to?
The point is to find something that feels nourishing and relaxing and that helps you connect to your inner flow and ease. And eventually, these practices will also connect you with inspiration, awareness, creativity, and your body, heart, and soul. This is good medicine. And it is also where we find meaning and fulfillment.
If you can allow yourself the time and space to listen, there is richness here for you. But if you keep yourself busy and fill up your time, you may miss out on the gifts available to you. So take time for rest, for quiet, and for contemplation. Be good to your body and your heart. Rest your mind and allow yourself to relax into the moment.
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