| Autumn has turned into winter, the | | | | - Revise your plans and inject them with |
| beautiful coloured leaves are on the | | | | the optimism of spring |
| ground and I am reminded of lessons we | | | | - Energise your body with gentle |
| can learn from Mother Nature. There is a | | | | exercise and lighter foods than in |
| natural flow to life, which includes the | | | | winter |
| changing of the seasons and optimal | | | | - Since you do not need as much sleep as |
| times for doing things. We would find | | | | in winter, take advantage of the lighter |
| life to be richer, more fulfilling and | | | | mornings and rise earlier. |
| easier of we were to go with the | | | | - Rise each morning with a sun |
| seasonal flow than against it. The | | | | salutation (yoga routine) facing East. |
| seasons also have corresponding | | | | Summer |
| directions of East, West, South and | | | | Flowers are in full bloom, colours are |
| North that we could further work with to | | | | plenty and varied and an abundance of |
| deepen our connection to the divine | | | | creatures, great and small, appear. |
| current. "But how do I go with the | | | | Animals frolic and fun is in the air. |
| seasonal flow?" I hear you ask. Keep | | | | The sun is at full force, constantly |
| reading to find out. | | | | charging everything with radiant energy. |
| Winter | | | | The hope injected during spring is |
| The stark grandeur of winter where the | | | | rolling now and everything looks and |
| trees are bare and the weather's cold. | | | | feels better in the sun. The days are |
| It looks as though nothing is happening | | | | longer and the nights shorter and you |
| but there is a lot going on beneath the | | | | are energised and ready for anything. |
| surface in wait for the warmth of | | | | Summer corresponds with the direction of |
| spring. There's not much food around so | | | | South. This southern direction is good |
| the animals are in hibernation | | | | for passion, excitement, drama, |
| conserving energy. Even the trees appear | | | | socialising, expressing yourself and |
| to be asleep. | | | | spontaneity. In short it is a time for |
| Winter corresponds with the direction of | | | | playing big. |
| North. A cold direction, not great for | | | | This is a great time for doing |
| growing things but good for peace and | | | | everything outside, socialise outside, |
| quiet. | | | | eat outside, and exercise outside. Take |
| Winter is a time for rest and | | | | full advantage of the energising power |
| recuperation, preparation for the spring | | | | of the sun and really take it in, store |
| and although it's not practical, even us | | | | it up to take into the darker months |
| humans want to hibernate. Use this time | | | | ahead. |
| for restoration; reconnect and reflect | | | | Practical Tips |
| on the year so far and think about how | | | | - Get outside and stay outside |
| you can be ready for the year ahead. | | | | - Have barbeques |
| Practical tips | | | | - Eat salads, fresh fruit and drink |
| - Meditate and sort out your "roots" by | | | | plenty of hydrating fluids |
| grounding yourself. They say the quality | | | | - Take advantage of the increased energy |
| of your fruit depends on the quality of | | | | and have fun in all you do |
| your roots. | | | | - As you don't sleep as much, make sure |
| - Eat wholesome and warming foods like | | | | you enjoy lazy days too |
| soup and stews made from winter | | | | Autumn |
| vegetables and incorporate spices like | | | | A bountiful time of year in nature, a |
| chilli, nutmeg and ginger into your diet | | | | time of fruition. Farmers harvest their |
| - Get plenty of rest when you can and | | | | fully-grown crops and store them for the |
| don't be too hard on yourself for | | | | winter. This beautiful season starts |
| feeling a bit lazy. Work with the | | | | with the tail end of summer and ends |
| healthy and natural urge to hibernate. | | | | with the beginning of winter. Over the |
| - Get out when you can, especially on | | | | course of this season, the colours in |
| those bright and crisp days and absorb | | | | the trees become regal and deeper. |
| those vitamin D filled sunrays. | | | | Yellows become gold, reds become maroon |
| - Be ready for the new hope spring | | | | and oranges become copper. Animals |
| brings by considering changes to your | | | | scurry around with much work to do in |
| thinking and behaviour patterns. | | | | preparation for hibernation. |
| Spring | | | | Autumn corresponds with the Western |
| Spring is a time for emergence, promise | | | | direction. The West is a good direction |
| and hope. New buds appear, new leaves on | | | | for completion of projects, romance, |
| the trees, newborn animals and new life | | | | playfulness and contentment. It is |
| in general. All the silent work of | | | | linked to wealth, style and new |
| winter is awakened by the warmth of | | | | relationships too. |
| spring which requires nurturing to | | | | Autumn is a great time for reaping what |
| encourage good growth. As growth is in | | | | you sowed in spring so you may need to |
| it's infancy, use this time to monitor | | | | bring loose ends to a conclusion and |
| development and tweak where necessary. | | | | complete tasks. It is also a good time |
| Spring corresponds with the Eastern | | | | to declutter, cleanse and tidy in |
| direction. This is a direction that is | | | | preparation for the restful winter. |
| great for alertness, making things | | | | Practical tips |
| happen and starting new projects with | | | | - Take stock, what are you reaping? What |
| precision. | | | | can you learn from this? |
| Following the cold darkness of winter, | | | | - Complete any unfinished tasks and free |
| spring is a time for possibilities and | | | | up some energy |
| aspirations run high. New beginnings are | | | | - Declutter, declutter and declutter |
| possible with the added bonus of | | | | some more |
| brightness and enthusiasm to see things | | | | - Simplify your life in preparation for |
| through. | | | | the winter recuperation period. |
| Practical tips | | | | |