Embracing the Wild Wisdom of Winter: The Journey Inward
As we bid farewell to the vibrant colors of autumn and welcome the crisp embrace of winter, we find ourselves at a crossroads in the ever-turning wheel of the seasons. Winter, often seen as a time of hibernation for nature, holds profound symbolic significance for those who seek to attune themselves to the cycles and rhythms of the natural world. In the work of Spiritual Rewilding, we recognise that these cycles around us mirror our own cycles —the changes of the seasons don’t just happen around us, but happen within us also.
Embracing the Dark Half of the Year
Winter, the darkest part of the year’s cycle, is a period when daylight wanes, and the night extends its embrace. The world around us transforms as the leaves, once resplendent in fiery reds and oranges, have fallen to the earth. Similarly, the sap within the trees retreats to their roots as its energy is drawn inward. Animals prepare their nests and burrows, settling into a peaceful slumber of hibernation.
Winter whispers a message to our deeper selves —an invitation to draw our energy inward. It's a season when the germinating seeds of our potential lie nestled in the soil of our being, waiting to begin growing in spring.
In the same way that they yearly cycle overlaps with the diurnal cycle, the winter resembles the night—the dark phase of the cycle—and beckons us indoors, both physically and metaphorically. Winter, therefore, becomes our dream time, a sacred period where we journey within, reconnecting with our inner visions and dreams.
In a world that often demands we remain in a perpetual state of summer, a society that treats us more like machines than living beings, we may unwittingly impose expectations of unceasing extroverted energy and summertime moods upon ourselves even in the depths of winter. Yet, this season whispers a different truth—one of going within and connecting with the self.
Connecting with the Spirit of Winter
As winter wraps the land in its blankets of frost, in its quiet beauty, there are three transformative ways we can connect with its spirit and deepen our understanding of its wild wisdom:
Create our own Indoor Sanctuary: Your home is your sanctuary, and during winter, it can become a cocoon of warmth and comfort. Whether it's your favorite lounge chair, a cozy nook by the fireplace, or a corner beside a bookshelf, make it a special place for yourself. Fill it with soft blankets, cushions, and the warm glow of candles, and create a small altar that will help serve as a reminder of the magic and message of the season. This sacred space will hold you through the winter months, inviting moments of introspection, reflection, visioning and solace.
Winter Journaling: The hush of winter provides an ideal opportunity to embark on a journaling journey. Let the wild spirit within you speak its truths, share its dreams, and reveal its desires. Explore the depths of your soul through these journaling prompts tailored for winter.
Shamanic Journey into Winter's Dream: Venture into the dreamy realms of winter through a shamanic journey. Allow the spirit of the season to guide you on an inner journey to connect with your Winters Dream, and ask what seed is germinating within your being, yearning to sprout in the upcoming cycles of the year. Listen to the whispers of your inner wisdom and the wisdom of winter as they intertwine in the sacred dance of introspection.
Reconnecting with the Wild Spirit of Nature
If you feel called to more practices like these and want to deepen your connection with the Wild Wisdom of the land, take a deeper look at Spiritual Rewilding.
Our Spiritual Rewilding online course offers a profound exploration of the wisdom and medicine of each season. It provides insights into the ways in which these seasons influence our energy, mood, and connection with the world around us. This course shares approaches and practices that can help us reconnect with our Wild Self, and connect to the spirit of the land.
By reattuning ourselves to the rhythms of nature and connecting with the teachings of the seasons, we cultivate a profound embodied sense of respect for the natural world, both around us and within us. We learn to live in harmony with the ebbs and flows of nature, fostering a sustainable and regenerative future for both ourselves and the world we inhabit.
At this time of year, where energy retreats and introspection flourishes, we invite you to embrace the wild wisdom of winter, and in its quietude, let your inner dreams take flight.