As the Fall season comes to a close and we prepare for the Winter Solstice in just a few days, I find this the perfect opportunity to reflect on our own Seasons of Life. Seasons of celebration and renewal, those of head-down passionate effort and growth, those of solitude and loneliness, of grief and sorrow, of rebirth and new life. So many, many ever evolving seasons.
I wonder…what is Your Season of Life currently?
Are you finding yourself in line with the spirit of winter hibernation? Are you willing to consider it as a necessary part of growth and restoration so you might flourish again? And how do you reconcile the disconnect if your unique Season of Life does not correlate with the particular time of year?
How can you make space for exactly what Your Season of Life calls for at any time of year?
In discussing this concept during a Health Coaching session recently, my client was reminded of an excerpt by Bridget Anna McNeil and of an accompanying illustration by Jessica Boehman –both of which she generously shared with me.
I now share these with you as we approach the 2023 Winter Solstice this week. Enjoy!
“I prefer winter and fall, when you feel the bone structure of the landscape — the loneliness of it; the dead feeling of winter. Something waits beneath it, the whole story doesn’t show.” – Andrew Wyeth
Something To Read
“We are approaching the threshold of winter.
Life is being drawn into the earth, painlessly descending down into the very heart of herself.
And we as natural human animals are being called to do the same, the pull to descend into our bodies, into sleep, darkness and the depths of our own inner caves continually tugging at our marrow.
But many find the descent into their own body a scary thing indeed, fearing the unmet emotions and past events that they have stored in the dark caves inside themselves, not wanting to face what they have so carefully and unkindly avoided.
This winter solstice time is no longer celebrated as it once was, with the understanding that this period of descent into our own darkness was so necessary in order to find our light. That true freedom comes from accepting with forgiveness and love what we have been through and vanquishing the hold it has on us, bringing the golden treasure back from the cave of our darker depths.
This is a time of rest and deep reflection, a time to wipe the slate clean as it were and clear out the old so you can walk into spring feeling ready to grow and skip without a dusty mountain on your back & chains around your ankles tied to the caves in your soul.
A time for the medicine of story, of fire, of nourishment and love.
A period of reconnecting, relearning & reclaiming of what this time means brings winter back to a time of kindness, love, rebirth, peace and unburdening instead of a time of dread, fear, depression and avoidance.
This modern culture teaches avoidance at a max at this time; alcohol, lights, shopping, overworking, over spending, bad food and consumerism.
And yet the natural tug to go inwards as nearly all creatures are doing is strong and people are left feeling as if there is something wrong with them, that winter is cruel and leaves them feeling abandoned and afraid. Whereas in actual fact winter is so kind, yes she points us in her quiet soft way towards our inner self, towards the darkness and potential death of what we were, but this journey if held with care is essential.
She is like a strong teacher that asks you to awaken your inner loving elder or therapist, holding yourself with awareness of forgiveness and allowing yourself to grieve, to cry, rage, laugh, & face what we need to face in order to be freed from the jagged bonds we wrapped around our hearts, in order to reach a place of healing & light without going into overwhelm.
Winter takes away the distractions, the noise and presents us with the perfect time to rest and withdraw into a womb like love, bringing fire & light to our hearth.”
Written by Bridget Anna McNeil
Something to Try
As we honor the changing seasons and celebrate the return of the sun–minute by minute–here are some thoughtful ideas on how to celebrate the Winter Solstice.
Here’s one more from Sage Family: Ten Ways to Celebrate Winter Solstice
Something to Create
I can imagine that the last thing many of us want right now is another craft or something to do! That said, if you’re feeling crafty/inspired/are looking for an activity with the kids–look no further!
Easy to Make Winter Solstice Crafts for Instant Hygge
Something to Consider
As 2023 draws to a close, take a moment to consider where you’d like to be in one year from now.
What would you like to abandon, what would you like to create?
What if 2024 was the year that you actually did the thing you’ve wanted to do?
What if 2024 was actually the year you had the courage to ______, had the insight to ______, had the clarity you’ve been seeking to move forward taking THE NEXT RIGHT STEP?
Working with a Health Coach is truly the key to getting unstuck and if you’re feeling called to work on anything health or wellness related, I’d love to hear from you!
| “Winter is the time for comfort, for good food and warmth, for the touch of a friendly hand and for a talk beside the fire: it is time for home.” Edith Sitwell |