Allowing the Rhythm of the Seasons

We are deep into the fall now after an intense eclipse season, and as many of us notice the sun starting to set earlier each day, we are entering further into the void of stillness that the winter calls us settle into. While Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) has gained momentum and is more commonly known, what we must also remember is our innate connection to the the Earth and her beautiful cycles of death and rebirth, creation and regeneration, stillness and action. These qualities all reflect the scales we balance within ourselves of the masculine and feminine energies.

The winter is a sacred time, though because we are in a modern day society we may struggle to surrender to our nature to become more still, because of the demands of life. We still need to work in our respective roles, we need to attend class, provide for our families, and so on. How can we allow this time to serve us rather than feel burdened or afraid of the darkness? How can stillness become revered, and not resisted?

Whenever we enter into the shadow, we are being asked to reflect, re-evaluate, and renew. It's no accident that the start of the New Year is in the winter, at least in the Northern Hemisphere, where these commitments to Self can be re-created. Where can we look at how our time is spent, and how we can simplify or modify our time to honor our capacity? Our schedule may need to be adjusted to support our energy output during this time. What can be removed, or is there a responsibility that can be shared? Notice where you may be trying to force yourself to put your energy or to create something, and take a step back to ask yourself if this is serving you. Remember, creation energy can ebb and flow, and our mind is typically attached to the productivity loop, but our soul trusts the timing.

Speaking of the mind, notice how you are tending to the chatter around the winter months. Do you join in with others who complain about the cold? Do you tell yourself and others how depressed you know you will be? Do you cringe and react when you feel the chill, and go on the internal tangent about moving somewhere warm? Do you pathologize what is natural for your body? Imagine what would be different if you were to shift all of this anticipation and conversation to one of reverence. Imagine if you were to relate to winter and what she is showing you. How can you see yourself in her? What is the offering here? In shifting from resistance to allowance, our bodies take an exhale and our minds move into acceptance, and are better equipped to navigate this human experience.

Our minds fear the darkness, as our instinct is to survive, yet death is a natural part of our human experience in a literal and figurative sense. Maybe our seasonal "depression" is more deeply reflective of our struggle to access our shadow, what we fear could need to change, and the grieving process of how we have seen ourselves leading up to this season. We are so much more expansive than our mind and emotions. Our soul is limitless and will always guide our cycles if we can surrender to this wisdom. When you can access your expanded Self, you will be realigned with the Truth of how sacred stillness can be, how deeply you can honor the altar of all that has died, and how supported we are by Mother Earth and her forces. We can allow this vessel to hold us, as we await to re-emerge again.