Winter is the season of culmination of all that has transpired in the year. With winter solstice, December 21 we mark the longest night, the deepest yin, and the turn toward the new light. Time now to rest, reflect, renew. Within a few months, Spring will come along to begin anew. Seeds lie quietly dense with stored energy, anticipating the upcoming cycle of new growth.
Season of Light
Meanwhile, as we harmonize with winter, we emphasize the yin principle if we allow ourselves to become more receptive, introspective, storing. This can be a time of profound healing at every level of one’s being – our deepest essence touched, restored. We cool the surface of the body and warm the core. Cold and darkness (less day-light) move us to seek inner warmth. It is a time to rest, to meditate deeply, refine one’s spiritual essence, and store physical energy. Yet, we must stay active to keep the spine and joints flexible and adaptable (tao y’in, qigong, t’ai chi practices are ideal).
This is the time of the water element; midnight blue/dark purple/black; kidneys and bladder, bones, bone marrow, reproductive organs, body fluids, ears. It is said that the kidneys open to the ears – meaning that hearing is related to the health of the kidneys, the organs most affected by wintertime. The ability to listen clearly is heightened in the cold, silent months. Keep the kidneys and adrenals (atop the kidneys) warm and comfortable. This includes keeping the feet warm – the first kidney point in the meridian being at the sole of the foot. This is a time to recharge our life batteries with loving care and appreciation.
In Balance the water energy of the kidney/adrenal function (energetically speaking) – one experiences strong healthy bones, knees, lower back, teeth; good hearing and ear health; healthy hair; urinary, sexual, and reproductive health; vibrant vitality / youthful aging; strong sense of personal will and gentle power (rather than a sense of excessive fear, stress, insecurity).
Renew your Gentle Power; Release Fear and Stress
Food: Warm hearty soups, whole grains, and roasted nuts are the staples in this season. Dried foods, small dark beans, seaweed, sea vegetables, and steamed winter greens fortify the kidneys in winter. Cook foods longer, at low temperatures and with less water – the qi taking on a more sinking, dense, inward character. Salty (naturally salty or moderate use of sea salt) and bitter foods are appropriate for the season – lettuce, watercress, endive, escarole, turnip, celery, asparagus, alfalfa, carrot top, rye, oats, quinoa, and amaranth, chicory root (often found in grain ‘coffee’), miso, soy sauce, millet, and barley. Take in warm drinks, avoid cold. Drink less alcohol than usual, if any.
Self-Care in Action (what you can do):
- Enjoy going within and experiencing your own infinitely deep source of gentle power (no need for force) and trusting in your natural state of being able to act will-fully, easily, joyfully in alignment with your purpose and passion.
- Practices include: slow t’ai chi, qigong; ocean breathing qigong; spine rolling qigong; laughter qigong; 6 healing sounds qigong, inner smile qigong.
- Play with preparing foods that support your well-being, rather than those that draw you into a need for re-cooperation.
- Upon arising in the morning, sip 4 cups of warm water (yin/yang water, mix room temperature and heated water)
- Meditate. This suggested focus will be particularly powerful on the winter solstice, December 21. Stand outside facing the north, the direction of the Water element. Visualize and feel the power of the north in the form of blue light qi. Gather this qi into your body through your inhalation, through your pores, through the door of life in your lower back, and through the crown of your head.
As your body fills with blue light Qi, visualize that your body becomes transformed into translucent pure blue jade. Feel that you have absorbed the essence of the Water element and that you are recharged and renewed.
- The holidays…since we live in the West, a time packed with holidays, practice moderation, so you can enjoy the holidays as well as listening to your inner nature, all of nature: Attend only the events/gatherings most important to you – choose foods/drinks that nurture and nourish you, stay only as long as feels good for you; Schedule quiet, alone time, rest.
