We’ve transitioned quite abruptly from the gentler contraction of late autumn and the Metal element (leaves falling silently to the ground) to the very Yin contraction of winter and the Water element, as the frosts and cold weather have descended on most of Britain and much of Europe and North America these past two weeks.

I’ve been very aware of layers of old grief coming up, mixing with the current grief of the collective, as more people start to die with winter taking hold. There are more invisible layers of loss and grief as the insects of summer finish their life cycle, and mammals and birds go into survival mode now. Perennial plants die back and trees become skeletal. There are subtle reminders wherever we go. Of course, it’s all a natural process but it can feel intense after the abundance of harvest time and the Earth element, of late summer heat, which now feels a long time ago.

Winter always challenges us to go deeper, go inward, to draw on our inner will (for some just to get up in the morning to go to work!), to focus on staying centred and steady; for the grief brings up fear, and fear is intensified by the cold of winter. Our kidneys have to work harder just to stay warm, and they and the adrenals can feel more easily overloaded in winter. Time to rest, whenever we can, whenever we can give ourselves permission to — which is usually not enough, as daily demands and tasks continue. Can we be more discerning about which tasks and commitments can be shelved for now, to give us a little more space?

I’ve always found Christmas comes at a challenging time in the northern hemisphere, for many of us deep down have an instinct to hibernate or go dormant, like many animals and plants, yet we instead find ourselves having to gear up to go shopping, buy lots of food and be sociable and festive. It takes a lot of heart energy — the Fire element — to be smiley and buoyant in the cold. Much more so than when we’re meeting for picnics in the park on a balmy summer’s day. Feel the difference!

We’re invited to go deeper into any anxieties that come up. Just sit with them. Feel them. Where are they in our bodies? Can we simply accept the fears as they are, without trying to get rid of them or ignore them? What happens instead if we acknowledge them? I find this process hard but rewarding when little insights bubble up. Not least the realisation that we’re often scared of being fearful — another layer added to the anxiety that freezes it into our bodies. Acknowledging fears can actually help start to dissolve them, especially if we practise this regularly. I feel little internal releases happening when I focus inwards. The body longs for our attention. Suddenly the long evenings, the early nights in bed, become a wonderful opportunity to reflect on what’s coming up for us emotionally. We can then set the intention to release these old trapped emotions — an ongoing process.

I’m following something called the Renewal of the Creative Path this winter: reflecting deeply and journalling daily about what helps connect me to myself, to nature and to other people (if you like lists, this deep reflective process lends itself well to lists!); and then what disconnects me from myself, nature and other people (separately). It’s an inner tracking process that has its roots in many healthy indigenous communities. All sorts of insights have come up for me. Many revelations are possible at this time of year; much wisdom can be drawn up from our inner wells of wisdom (the transmuted emotion of fear), if we carve out for ourselves some space and peace.

This internal process helps us move away from the mad materialism and crazy consumerism of Christmas and towards spiritual nourishment instead. Sitting round a fire opening presents or at the Christmas lunch table, we can instead marvel at the deep connections and bonds we have with family and friends, the conviviality, the desire to keep being loving and accepting even when there is conflict, disagreement and tension; each person bringing their uniqueness to the gathering.

Can we also keep an eye out for those who are alone this season? Can we help others in need a little more? Sharing, supporting and including them, so no one is left out, excluded or forgotten.

Return of the light

After the solstice on 22nd December (in the UK), the light starts to return. Christmas is actually aligned with the returning yang of the sun (outward, active, heating energy), after the most yin (inner, quiet) moment of the year, in the northern hemisphere. If we gift ourselves some stillness around the solstice we can sometimes feel this shift. The more energetically in tune we are, the stronger the awareness is of this shift.

Winter is the time to nurture seeds of ideas and creativity, ready for them to flourish outwardly from early spring. Seeds don’t look like they’re doing much; they’re just being! Yet there is so much untapped potential as they await the right conditions. If the soil is healthy, they will grow well. This is why the Renewal of Creative Path is so powerful at this time of year. It’s supported energetically. We don’t have as many outer distractions (gardening, big outdoor events etc), and taking the time to do this inner sowing and preparation can be deeply rewarding.

At the very least, just resting and sleeping more, or time by the fire if you’re lucky enough to have one, helps us be ready for spring when it starts to show up.

Lastly, while we’re doing all that extra sleeping, with early nights and lie-ins where possible, we get to bask in the dreamscape. Pay attention to dreams, write them down, explore and feel into their meanings. So much symbolism here, so many signs and messages. Spirit guides are wanting to share more and guide us humans more than ever. Are you ready to let them? Dreams are a good way to hear those tiny voices of guidance, for those whose daily minds are too noisy and busy. So we even get to access deeper wisdom and intuition in our sleep!

In peace and love

Saffron

6th December 2023