Water represents a time for reflection, a deep, restorative period in which one's inner resources can be refilled. Plants are dormant, resting or expanding their root systems. In Winter we can revisit the Well and re-establish our wellness. Wood Season is a time of increasing energy, with sap starting to rise and plants emerging from the soil. It is a time for scanning the horizon and envisioning possibilities, a time of creativity and building, a time for making plans, for emerging from stillness and getting more active. This is when we can plant our peas and imagine our own flowering. | Today we are blanketed in thick white snow and I'm grateful for what may be one last gasp of Winter. The past week brought temperatures in the 40's and 50's. Aconite, Hellebores and Snowdrops emerged as soon as they felt the sun's warmth. In Traditional Chinese Medicine's Five Elements, Vernal Equinox is considered to be the point at which the energies of Water Season (Winter) transition into those of Wood (Spring.) |
The equinoxes are the times when day and night are of equal length. From here on in, the lengthening of the days becomes increasingly noticeable. As I write this a wren outside my window loudly proclaims the change of seasons. I’m sad to see Winter go and feel like I did not get enough of it, enough lounging in Deep Time. The tasks of my outer-world de/re-construction project call loudly: time to finish tearing the wall down! Saw! Drill! Plaster! Prep! Paint! At least now I will have the energies of Spring to help me as I actualize these long-imagined changes. |