After the darkness of Winter, with the long nights, short days, rest and stillness, the seasonal shift as we move closer to Spring is like a breath of fresh air. It can be a little disjointing sometimes- I’ll admit that. To move from the inner landscape of Winter where we focus on nourishing ourselves, reflecting on the year that we’ve had and dreaming in the year we will have, to the rising energy of this liminal space where nature is calling us to come out of hibernation and to start to move forward can leave me feeling out of sorts. It’s how I imagine a bear would feel, coming out of its long hibernation through the winter months. Sluggish in its movements, reconnecting with the world around it that continued to move- continued to turn- as it slumbered on. The bear takes its time to reconnect, using its rising energy to take a new step forward, to shake off the sleep, to move its limbs and eventually search for food and water.
February is that energy. It’s a dance, the to and fro of Winter and Spring. We are neither yet both. Some days can feel like Spring, and I want to do everything, setting plans in motion and socialize and get out to enjoy the beautiful lands that I call home. Other days, I want to cuddle up under a blanket in my home, light some candles, pick up a book and have a slow day. Some days, I want light and fresh foods, honing in on the rising energy as we get closer to Spring; other days I want hearty soups and stews, sinking back into the cosiness and stillness of Winter.
Living seasonally means embracing this month and its rise and fall of energy as we begin the shift into a new season. Slowly- so slowly. It’s honouring the stillness of the season beginning to wane, and embracing the rising energy of the season just starting to unfurl. Some days is more one than the other. This transitional time is such a beautiful time, when we learn to embrace it.
Reflecting on Winter: A Time for Rest & Reflection.
To embrace what is coming, we reflect on where we’ve been. I encourage you to take some time, in the next four weeks, to reflect on your own personal winter season. What did you learn, what have you cultivated internally? Personally, I love journaling at this time of year- in the stillness and slowness of Winter- to dig deep and see what I have learnt over the last few months. I honour the journey I’ve taken- both physical and spiritual. These last several months have been a big shift for me, as my son started school back in September, and I’ve been really honing in on my body and listening to what I need. What foods I need, when I need to stretch, to meditate. I gave myself permission to rest when I needed, and focus on work when I needed to, too. I learnt a new rhythm for myself and my family, as the dynamics shifted. I let go of what no longer served or fitted into my life, leaving a void space for the new growing season to allow a seed to nurture- now taken by Lunar Cove and the work I’m doing for this community.
This reflective practice in journaling, perfectly captures the energy of Winter. The midway point between Winter and Spring- Imbolc- may have just past, but we are still in Winter. We’re still in a time of introspection and stillness. We should give permission to ourselves to slow down, rest, and honour our inner wisdom. Some day’s you’ll feel more energised- and follow that rise in energy to set yourself some goals or tasks to be done on those days- but this transitional time will flow between rest and activity. So when you feel the call to rest, honour it.
To embrace this Winter season, make some time to journal. Reflect on your season of Winter, and what has changed or shifted, and what space you’re creating for newness in the coming growing season. There is a journaling prompt worksheet in the Lunar Cove Community- it’s free to join and you can do that here to gain access to the journaling prompts. Take your time to nurture yourself- Winter is about nurturing and refilling your own cup, so think about what nurtures you. I’ve loved having warm, herbal teas mid morning during winter as well as dedicating time to journaling, connecting with my inner wisdom by pulling daily oracle or tarot cards, and combining meditation and gentle yoga to start my day. It’s really helped me to prepare for Spring as the season starts to shift and I’m in a place of renewal right now, ready for the rising energy of the Earth. What is it that nurtures you?
Honouring the Last of Winter’s Quiet Energy.
I’m excited for the rising energy of Spring. Just this morning I was out in my garden, taking note of what was beginning to grow, the plans I have for the garden this year, what I want to achieve, and considering what plants I want to buy. I was looking for signs of life around my pond (I’ve yet to see my first frog of the year!) and also assessing damage from the winter storms. I then balanced this with retreating into my sacred space, and journaling in the warmth. I embraced the stillness with meditation, then planning my day of simple tasks and nurturing myself. I encourage you to do the same- as the transition from Winter to Spring begins, embrace the stillness, and take time to honour the quiet energy of Winter before jumping into the activity of Spring. Balance where you can, retreating and embracing the stillness as well as honouring the rising energy.
Continuing with or make sure your self-care practices are well developed is a great way to honour the last of Winter’s quiet energy. Long baths, quiet walks, and meditation are great ways to honour the calmness we are currently in. Simple rituals to bring yourself happiness, contentment, and slowness. Journaling is also a great way to embrace this energy- reflect on what has been completed or what you have learned, and what you will manifest in the new season.
Spring’s Arrival: Awakening and Renewal.
As we get closer and closer to the start of Spring, and the transition tips into rising energy, we arrive at the season of blossoming potential. It’s a time of growth, expansion and fresh starts- so embrace that energy, when you can see it and feel it. Look for signs of Spring in nature around you- look for the buds on the trees, bathe in the warmer sunlight, and feel the warmth of it upon your face. Look for the flowers that are now beginning to bloom- snowdrops are everywhere at the moment, and that splash of colour is invigorating, reminding us of the coming season. I love to make a note of sunrise and sunset- it’s a gradual shift, but is tangible evidence of the days getting longer. Not too long ago my son and I raced the sun home, watching the sky turn to colours of pink as sunset occured not long after getting home from school. Now, we’re finding time to check the woods on our way home, to look for signs of the coming Spring- and still be home before sunset.
I’m starting to feel the shift in my own practice- February feels very different to January. My journaling time is now about tangible steps to move forward with, my house cleaning is about refreshing and resetting, to align with Spring’s rising energy. My meal planning is beginning to include lighter foods- not just hearty soups and stews. My walks in nature are becoming brisker, allowing the energy in my body to stir. Even my music is beginning to shift, with different songs now making their way onto my playlists.
Rituals for Welcoming Spring.
When you’re beginning to feel the call of Spring- honour it. The Spring Equinox is in March, but Imbolc is the stirring of Spring. Life is beginning to return, so when you’re feeling the call, embrace it! Here are some ideas of ways you can welcome Spring energy into your life.
Spring Cleaning. My own rituals and traditions mean that I embrace Spring Cleaning between Imbolc and the Spring Equinox. I tidy, clean, declutter, reorganise and symbolically clear out the old to make space for new energy. This can be done on a physical level (literally spring cleaning your spaces), mental, emotional or energetic level.
Nature Walks. Connecting with nature as the season shifts is a good practice for any time of the year. Get outside, even just on a short walk, or in your own garden, and witness the awakening of nature, connecting with the new growth. I look for new growth in trees, new shoots coming up through the soil, the first flowers (snowdrops!), the way the sun brightens up a patch of land, the way that birds flit between branches… really pay attention to the signs in nature that the season is beginning to shift.
Planting Seeds. Whether this is literal, and you begin to plant seeds or plants in your garden (when the weather has warmed up enough that the ground is no longer frozen) or you metaphorically plant your seeds of intentions, it honours the rising energy of Spring. Seeds represent new growth, hope, inspiration and promise. A simple ceremony is to explore what intentions or goals you are setting for yourself over the coming growing season, and using Spring bulbs, plant them in soil and nurture them so that they grow, symbolising the growth and potential of your intentions that you tied to the bulb you now care for and nurture.
Seasonal Foods and Nourishment for Spring.
My meal planning has begun to shift as we get deeper into February and closer to Spring. Where stews, hearty soups and pies once sat, now I’m including more leafy greens and fresh herbs into my meal planning. Nature provides us with everything we need in our bodies to embrace this shift in energy- so seasonal foods will help support us. Nettle is starting to grow, and by the end of February those tender new shoots- packed full of vitamin C and iron- are growing abundantly. After the richness and heaviness of Winter, Spring foods are gentler, lighter, and fresher.
If you’re still feeling sluggish in your Winter energy, a Spring detox is a great way to prepare your body for the shift in season and to clear out the stagnation of Winter and make space for new energy. Lighter meals, smaller portions, upping your water intake, drinking herbal teas and incorporating fresh produce into your meals is a great way to support your body in this transition.
The transition from Winter to Spring is about embracing the natural flow of life and giving ourselves permission to shift at our own pace. It’s a gentle transition and the beauty and the wisdom of both seasons lie at the heart of it- the stillness of Winter and the potential of Spring. Explore how you can welcome Spring with intention whilst still honouring the stillness of Winter. Give yourself permission to rest, to be- and also permission to do. Honour where you are, right now, on the expansive or contracting energy, the to and fro of February as we shift from Winter to Spring.