Tuesday, January 8, 2008

Physical and Emotional Replenishment in Winter

Physical and Emotional Replenishment in Winter
Winter is a time of moving deep inward. It is a time of
conservation, rest, storage and quiet replenishment. When
winter comes upon us there is a darkening of skies and a
blanketing of growth. The cold drives us to huddle in our
den and seek our warmth from within. We move toward greater
receptive and introspective energy and slow our outward
expansion.

Winter is the time of rest. You may find that you need more
sleep and require more down time and actual rest. In
winter, you may need an earlier bedtime and a later
wakening time. Because of this pull toward rest, you may
also be drawn to mediate, pray, dream or contemplate more
deeply to restore your spiritual energy.

Autumn energy drives us downward to our roots where we
hibernate through the stormy, housebound times of winter.
The darkness of winter pulls us inward calling us to be
more receptive to our own needs and the counsel held deep
within us.

Seemingly contradictory, the Winter Solstice - the
beginning of winter - is actually the harbinger of light.
Devoid of outward growth in the dead of winter, every day
from the solstice forward gets longer.

As we draw deeper into ourselves and mimic this
contradictory aspect of winter, we too are in the process
of storing, building and generating our own light. The
light must first collect internally before it is strong
enough to sustain our outward growth and expansion.

To facilitate growth in the newness of spring, winter is
the time in which you need to take special care of yourself
through nutrition, warmth, and rest.

Winter Correspondences:

Water is the element that corresponds to winter. Water
governs the metabolism and controls the bladder. Water is
the essential fluid of life through which all things must
pass. Water makes up the majority of the human body. Water
is the receptive element, the element of the emotions and
winter can be a time of deep emotional experiences.

The kidneys and the bladder are the two body organs that
deal with the body's water and are associated with winter.

The kidneys "open to the ears" and the ears are the sense
organs associated with winter wellness, as is the sense of
hearing and the ability to listen.

The kidneys are seen as being the storage place for our
life force. They are the seat of the cycle of
transformation and they generate our will and ambition. The
kidneys are related to the adrenals, which generate energy,
warmth, and sexual and reproductive expression in the body.

The kidney/adrenal connection is the foundation of the
body's energy expression - both outward reaching and inward
gathering. A healthy, vital kidney/adrenal connection
allows for the proper balancing of opposites: calm yet
energetic, strong yet nurturing, active yet restful.
Disruption in the kidney energy in the body may show up in
a number of ways including:

Problems with the bones

Problems with hearing and the ears including ear infections

Problems with the head and the hair including hair loss

Problems with sexuality and libido, reproductive problems
and urinary problems

Slow or poor growth of the mind or body

Accelerated aging

Excessive fear or insecurity

A loss of the "sparkle" in the eyes

Fear is the emotion of winter. Like the winter, fear can be
deeply rooted internally. When there is poor or weak
kidney/adrenal energy, excessive fear, phobias and general
anxiety are likely. Restoration and rejuvenation of the
kidney/adrenal energy resolves this fear and opens up the
pathway to joy and loving expression. Often deep fears and
insecurities will not give way to insight and understanding
until the kidney/adrenal pathway is restored and
strengthened.

The climate is cold and the direction is north - the place
of wisdom, introspection, intuition, and ancestral
guidance. Groaning is the sound of winter and the color of
winter is blue and black.

The kidneys govern the storage of the life force in the
bones and the bone marrow. "I felt it in my bones" is an
indication of a deep and intense intuitive knowledge.
Winter is a good time for undergoing restorative bodywork.

The sexual organs and sexuality are also water/winter
elements. Either too much sexual activity or too little
sexual activity may be related to the health and
functioning of the kidney/adrenal complex. Traditionally
the predominate energy flow through the bladder occurs
between 3-5 PM and through the kidneys between 5-7 PM.
During this time, relaxation and rest may be required to
stay emotionally centered and receptive. If you have
difficulty getting through this time of day you may need to
regenerate your kidney/adrenal pathway by including in your
diet nourishing winter foods.


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Mary Ann Copson is the founder of the Evenstar Mood &
Energy Wellness Center for Women. With Master's Degrees in
Human Development and Psychology and Counseling, Mary Ann
is a Certified Licensed Nutritionist; Certified Holistic
Health Practitioner; Brain Chemistry Profile Clinician; and
a Health, Wellness and Lifestyle Coach. Reconnect to your
physical, emotional, mental, psychological and spiritual
natural rhythms at
http://evenstaronline.com

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