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