Winter has descended and we are waist deep in a heavy white wonderland that is both frustrating and awe inspiring. It has forced many busy people to stop and pay attention to what is really important. In a very literal way, out of necessity, we have to engage in a quiet, slower pace of life, resting between shoveling, hibernating and conserving energy where we can.
The pure white landscape and sparkle of sunlight reflecting off the icy surfaces, reminds us of purity and gives us a blank canvass for a fresh start. This is the appropriate time to think about what we are doing in our lives, contemplating goals, dreams and desires. Then as the fresh, clean air and calmness of the snow, buffers out everyday noise, it is good to remember that snow brings healing power to the earth. It insulates our gardens and plants from extreme temperature fluctuations. It provides needed moisture and nourishes the soil with nitrogen from the atmosphere. It also protects many small creatures and their access to food sources this time of year.
In traditional medicine, winter is correlated to water, dark blue, black, willpower and potential. Like a seed we “go underground”. The emotion of water is fear. Many have felt this emotion with snow amounts that have become unmanageable, trapping some in their homes, enveloping others with a sense of claustrophobia. The sound of winter is groaning and anyone who lives near a lake can hear the ice moaning and cracking, especially in the quiet of the night. The organs that correlate to winter, are the bladder and kidneys. The kidneys “open to the ears”, support bones, influence hair growth, lay the foundation for reproduction and fertility and are the source of our life force.
According to the Sages, we need to live in harmony with nature and the patterns of the seasons. Therefore we need to pamper ourselves this time of year. Eat warming cooked, nutritious foods with salty and bitter flavours to support kidney health. Go to bed earlier, sleep in a little longer and rest more. When not shoveling, choose a gentle form of exercise like walking or qigong. Even better, dance to some favorite "oldies" or even learn a few new Bollywood moves, to keep that "cabin fever" at bay. Most importantly, don't let the snow keep you stuck indoors. Clear a space in the sun, pull out a lawn chair, don some sunglasses and sit on cushions to keep your lower back warm. Enjoy the ever growing day-lengthening and increasing warmth of the sun!