Season's Greetings

The time around winter solstice is sacred. Time to go within. To re-light the inner fire. To review the year past. To celebrate accomplishments & recalibrate for an even better new year.

The flow of life. Slowing down in the winter season. Seeking the light. © Solveig Caroline 2015

In the shamanic medicine wheel, winter corresponds to the Northern direction, the color white (which also happens to be the color of healing in many traditions), and going within for rest and restitution. We can also note this in nature slowing down considerably, and stopping all activities that would waste precious life energy. It's the time for inner work, for laying a solid foundation for new growth in the new year, when the days once again get longer.

After all, what good does it do a tree to attempt growing new leaves in the frosty days of December (and even January) when they are bound to freeze off before developing fully? Why not preserve that precious energy, avoid the clean-up of dead half-developed leaves, and allow ourselves the gift of slowing down and resting more?

I realize this is contrary to the usual pre-holiday frenzy in most occupations. Yet, even in a corporate job, there are ways to slow down and get in flow with the season. To give your body the nourishment it desires, and the rest it requires after an already busy year. The more hectic the December close of business, the more important to de-stress on the personal and physical side, in my experience. For tips how to do that with exposure to light, movement and nutrition, please consult my mini-series on how to skip the winter blues (the most recent three posts).

My tips for this holiday season:

* Choose your parties wisely (it's ok to say no!).

* Finish up your old projects, and hold off on new ventures until the new year whenever possible. You'll be much fresher, productive and creative, and spend a fraction of the time on them that you'd need if you squeezed in your new stuff in the last 4 weeks of the year.

* Make self-care a priority - being chronically sick at this time of the year is NOT programmed into your body or the season. Nor is it anyone's doing but our own: it's due to acute neglect and overindulgence in holiday treats, short nights, and exposure to the cleansing action of lower temperatures and crisp air outside. Laying off the sugar and alcohol and upping your intake of fresh greens and cooked veggies, while keeping yourself warm (and moving!) will go a long way.

* Develop an attitude of gratitude. It's the dark season, so easy to slip into harassing yourself over the failures of the past year. Instead, make a list of your accomplishments and take pride in them. Celebrate. Love yourself up. Share with others and encourage them to share their positive highlights.

That said: season's greetings & happy holidays to all of you.

Take care and be good to yourselves!

With gratitude,