Winter is commonly known as a time to slow down, rest, and restore. At a young age we learn about animals that hibernate during this season. And each year we watch the flora and fauna diminish to just their bare essentials. These are our cues, to tuck in and rest, as we too are part of the natural order of things.
Often, this time of year can be challenging. There’s an inner knowing of slowing down contrasted by the frenzy that occurs during these darker days. Starting with Thanksgiving, we have a slew of holidays and subsequent gatherings that bring us closer together during our season of hibernation. Sometimes it can feel like too much. However, this year I’m sure many of us are wishing we could clink glasses with friends and family, ideally with a fire roaring by our feet.
As we head into 2021, with the pandemic still present in our lives, we’ve become accustomed to this masked and socially distanced life. But we’re over it, we know this isn’t natural. Yet Winter, according to Chinese Medicine, is strikingly in line with what many of us are experiencing. For example, Winter’s stage of development is death, its corresponding emotion is fear, its energy is Zhi (will power) and its virtues are wisdom, intention and courage. And, if you’ve let out a groan with this particular perspective of living in alignment with the pandemic, that’s perfect – groaning is the sound of this season.
Let’s take a quick look at these corresponding elements of Winter:
Death is simply not a comfortable topic in our culture, but it is through death that new life is born. Winter’s connection with this part of the natural life cycle, combined with daily death tolls, may bring out more fear and depression than usual. Many of us may feel like we are confronting our own mortality. To cope, it is recommended that we look inward and spend time in deep, meaningful meditation. And this year, perhaps we can also dream of a better world ahead, knowing that next season spawns creation, cleansing, activity, growth, and renewal. For from decay, springs life.
Fear, Winter’s emotion, can manifest in a couple of ways. We can lose ourselves in fear, or completely lack fear and take undue risks. When Winter’s corresponding element of Water is out of balance, we can crave constant reassurance, wondering if what we worry about most will be okay. One way to confront fear is to find the blessings of the season, be joyful, utilize the color red and leverage the sound of laughter from the Fire element. Integrating aspects of Summer’s Fire, brings warmth and light to Winter’s dark coldness. Bundle up and play in the snow or enhance your space with candles and warm colors. Many of us have much to be fearful about right now, so this is not to be taken lightly. If feeling deep moments of fear and anxiety, tackle the issue head on with acupuncture, herbs, dietary changes, qi gong, and tai chi.
Zhi is a Chinese word for our willpower and drive to live. It’s what helps us plan and envision what’s possible. It also gives us the ability to be introspective, to reflect and remember. In the Winter, strong zhi helps us persevere. It can be such an important element to our survival and birthright, that we have a blog about it (Zhi: The Energy of Will, Purpose and Destiny). Of course, zhi is exactly what we need to tap into now as we approach the year anniversary of Covid-19’s appearance.
Wisdom, intention and courage oppose fear and the need for reassurance, allowing us to be cautious with risks and to build resources and stores to meet our needs. Winter’s virtues encourage us to look within and discover what’s most important. It is then that we are able to let go and move into the abyss of the unknown. Consider questions like: Who am I? Why am I here? What am I going to do about it?
More than anything, we want to impart the importance of simply slowing down. Take moments to focus inwards. Go to bed early and sleep in, if you can. All those books on the shelf that you’ve been meaning to read? The scarf that you’ve been meaning to knit? Those slower, more methodical activities that never seemed to fit into our busy schedules are exactly what we need right now. This year, there are no parties to prep for and occupy our time. Instead let this be the season in which we can truly hibernate and take care. It’s the way it should be.
Illustration: Lehel Kovács
