Going Inside for the Winter: An Opportunity to do Important Inner Work

Going Inside for the Winter: An Opportunity to do Important Inner Work

Many indigenous people associate darkness with the spirit and “non-ordinary reality,” and daylight with life on the earth plane and “ordinary reality.” Thus, people place importance on going inside for the winter.

Winter, and the increased darkness that comes with the season, is thus logically considered a time for spirit work. Spring and summer are for planting, growing, gathering, building, and repair. Fall is for reaping the harvest and preparing for winter. Spring and summer are active and outward-oriented. Fall is when many living things draw their life force inward, and begin the process of dormancy or hibernation.

Winter, on the other hand, is for slowing down, rest, restoration, introspection, reflection, and spiritual work. Winter is inward in nature. Looked at this way, winter offers a unique opportunity for anyone who values inward reflection, spiritual inner work, mindfulness, balance, and connection to their broader self, the universe, and spirit. It’s a chance to think about new options, renewing commitments, and more generally dreaming and scheming. As such, winter is a time to look forward to and to cherish.

Winter is the perfect time to put more focus on meditation or to regularly practice yoga or Qi Gong, write in a journal, draw or sketch, review and analyze dreams, sing, drum, engage in vision work such as shamanic journeying, and spend some time alone in quiet reflection whether indoors or outdoors. Winter beckons one to get back in touch with one’s deeper self and one’s purpose.

November is a good time to start reviewing the last year and one’s life, in general. People traditionally make pledges and resolutions in late December and the first of the year. Now is the time to reflect, assess, and prepare so that the resolutions are more inclined to be kept and intentions actualized. So…..

Slow down, take time, go inside…..

Nourish yourself and your soul through the winter!

Check out Starchaser’s FREE guided meditations to facilitate your winter inner work.

If you’re considering a meaningful career change or retirement, consider looking inside yourself. Or for assistance with your journey or process, contact me.