Falling into Winter

Some years ago, I took a training program in Plant Spirit Medicine. I learned many many things in this medicine path; one of the things that has really stuck with me over the years since is a deep appreciation for the seasons, their changing nature, and also, how the seasons express themselves in me. Honoring the season is not only part of my personal medicine practice, but also part of my work. Sometimes, it is about coaching myself and others to be in and to live fully in the season that is at hand.


In this particular year, I have noticed that we went from a wonderful Indian summer of dense blue skies and abundant mushrooms into a very short autumn and are now knocking at the door of winter. These changes have nothing whatsoever to do with the calendar but rather how Nature expresses herself: the slant of sun heading south, the deep morning frosts, the fog that fills the estuary at night, the occasional nights of icy dark skies full of brilliant stars and a cold moon, the snow we found on our doorstep the other morning.

There's also the way I feel: in this early winter I long for the deep dark sleeps of these nights, going to bed early and sleeping like I've been drugged. There is an irresistible yearning for the warm bed, the thick fleece blankie and the hot water bottle snuggled against my back. I love looking out the kitchen window into the completely dark yard before I head to bed, and letting that silent darkness seep into me as I slide into dream time. Blessed darkness.

There's the deep hunger for hot and filling foods: bean soups and stews, potpies and mushroom stroganoff, macaroni & cheese served cheek by jowl next to piping hot baked potatoes. These comfort foods of childhood continue a long tradition of warming us up and reminding us the there is enough food and yes, we will be nurtured and cared for.

I learned in Plant Spirit Medicine about the critical importance in this time of taking care of our reserves. In this season, the best thing we can do is to stay home, bundle up in a warm blankie by a fire, inviting a purring kitty to share out lap, and reading an absorbing (but not too intense) book. We turn off the TV, turn off the phone and lock the doors. We fix a hot mug of (non-caffeinated) chai, and let its heat and spicy herbs warm us to the core. To the many holiday invitations that come our way, we say no rather than yes. We spend this winter season honoring it and ourselves by going inward, conserving our resources through a dark and cold time. This is my task and my joy during this season of winter. I invite you to do the same.

Janet

Resources: Photos by Nancy Partlow
Recommended book: Plant Spirit Medicine by Eliot Cowan