Winter: A Time for Introspection and Reflection

Winter River ©Jack Donahue

As we settle deeper into winter I am reminded how this is a time for introspection and reflection. On the surface, winter is a quiet season and feels too long for many people.  In New England, the air is cold, the ground is frozen and the trees are bare. Some animals hibernate while others scramble for food. Stillness abounds. Although each day is getting longer, daylight is still in short supply. Yet below the surface so much is going on! The deeper earth is warm, water flows easily, the trees and plants are preparing for spring and smaller animals are thriving in nests and tunnels. The outer yang is kept in check and balanced by the inner yin.

Several years ago I realized that my life is much better when I go with the flow of the seasons. During winter, this means consciously slowing down, doing meditation and exercises that develop my inner energy (such as yoga, chi gong, tai chi), getting more sleep, doing more business development (such as research and planning), and taking classes online or via phone. It also means maintaining a flexible schedule that easily incorporates last minute weather-related changes and adjustments. And, of course, having time for family and friends!

Winter is the season to take a deeper look within and this year an ideal strategic planning time is on the calendar from January 23 through April 13^th. In astrological circles this cycle is known as Mars retrograde. It comes around every two years. This year it coincides with winter. During this period, business is generally slower and it is a challenge to get new things started. It’s the perfect time to prepare a strategic plan for your business as well as yourself. By putting some time and energy into planning, you’re likely to save a lot of time and money in the future.

From a feng shui perspective, winter coincides with the Career or Life Journey area of the Bagua, the symbolic map of life issues. The Career area is located in the front center of your space when you divide it into a grid of nine areas. If you are looking for work or you would like to change jobs, re-energize this area of your home as well as your master bedroom and office. From a health perspective, this area is associated with your ears, kidneys and blood. Take a good look at your space. What do you notice? Take some pictures as well. We often see things in pictures that we overlook in the space itself. As a Feng Shui Consultant, I often notice patterns appearing in groups of three. For instance, you might have water damage at your centrally located front door, a pile of clutter along the center front wall of your office and an overstuffed closet in the Career sector of your bedroom. Three different situations, each impacting the same life area.

Clear the blockages in your space. As you do, soon enough you will experience a more dynamic flow in your life. If you also focus on the essence of what you want and remain open to your intentions manifesting in ways you don’t even anticipate, you’re likely to experience some nice surprises and lots of synchronicity along the way as well.

So as we travel deeper into the season of winter, go with the flow. Spend some time exploring your inner journey while also energizing your outer environment, so that when spring emerges a refreshed and rejuvenated “you” does too!

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