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