Winter: the Season of Rest & Hope
Winter is the season of much needed rest before the bright expansion of spring.
It’s a time to be still, to rest, recharge, and reflect, to connect to hope, and gently dream of future possibilities.
Some big themes of winter are:
hibernating
rest
reflection
gaining clarity
death and rebirth
slow new beginnings
Let’s get some different perspectives of Winter.
According to Traditional Chinese Medicine, winter corresponds to the water element. And the water element is about stillness and rest. It's a time to stop, conserve, and nourish the inner self. If imbalanced, water shows up as feeling fearful and isolated.
The organs of water are the kidneys and bladder and the corresponding emotion is fear. And it’s easy to see how fear can rule the winter, when things feel dark and endless.
As for the seasonal archetypes, winter is the wise woman, otherwise known as the crone.
The wise woman has knowledge. Her world has been rocked by many lessons and she still stands grounded and stable. And knows she can handle anything that comes her way. She is also the keeper of stories and tradition. And she all this knowledge with others, helping folks on their own journeys.
In stories, many wise women live in the fringe and have strong connections to the magical and spiritual.
She moves to the beat of her own drum and that can frighten others. However, she understands what’s important to her and her life and doesn’t bother with things that she doesn’t need or doesn’t serve her.
Like the crone, winter is here to strip you of what no longer serves you. To call upon your knowledge and certainty of survival. To connect you to your spirt guides and community so you can create and share your own knowledge and magic. To sit in stillness and rest your bones.
Winter Practices
❄️ Send extra energy and love to your kidneys and bladder this season.
❄️ Examine your relationship with rest. What emotions and feelings come up when you try to rest? Are there beliefs stopping you from peacefully resting? What would make resting feel extra good and nourishing?
❄️ Add more tiny bits of silence to your day, a breath or two at a time.
❄️ Wear your hat and scarf and keep your midriff covered when out and about.
❄️ Reflect on the past seasons. What worked well? What didn’t? What are you ready for next?
❄️Create your own shielding rituals to protect your energy during the darker nights — you can imagine a protective bubble around you or even wear a hat.
❄️ Give yourself time to dream and imagine (here’s an energy healing to help).
❄️ Take long walks outside — in appropriate weather gear — and let the winter air bring you clarity.
❄️ Re-evaluate your own traditions and the stories you tell yourself/pass down. What feels good? What are you ready to stop? Are there new traditions or stories that you should start?
❄️ It’s easy to become too isolated when it’s so dark and cold; make sure to spend time connecting with loved ones, your community, and nature.
Winter Affirmations
➡ I deserve to rest and it benefits my mind, body, and soul.
➡I give myself time to regenerate so I can prepare myself to bloom.
➡ I embrace the dark.
A Winter message from tarot
Deck is The Herbcrafter’s Tarot
Five of Air (Swords) — White Sage
Nine of Earth (Pentacles) — Apple
Three of Fire (Wands) — Calendula
Winter is bringing you abundance and joy (and some forward movement towards the end of the season, just in time for spring). But first you need to shift some old, limiting beliefs that are in your way.
So often, we never think about our beliefs and why we believe them and if they’re actually true. Take some time to really think about what’s stopping you from living your most abundant and joyful life. What thoughts or beliefs are old and ready to go? What are more helpful thoughts that you can believe? And then find evidence to keep reminding yourself that they’re true.
Know that opportunities are coming, know that you are going to go where you need to go. The first step is just believing and trusting — which are way easier said than done.
Loved learning about the energetics of the season and want to connect more to them? Check out Sunday Nourish Club — a 6 month energy healing membership for those ready to step into a life of nourishment, connection, and flow by living in tune with nature and her rhythms.
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