North.

  We have entered the North, and we are honoring the Earth element. It is a time for rooting and solidifying. The Native American tradition invites us to honor our ancestors and our elders at this time, those who gave us our beautiful features, our blood and our bones. The North is where they reside on the Medicine Wheel. We have entered a time of rekindling with Spirit and our Soul’s purpose. The energy goes down into Mother Earth as we root down into her warm welcoming unconditional love.
I ask myself “who am I?”,” what have I to offer and give back?”, “are my feet matching my mouth?”, or “do I have enough resources to make it through the winter?”. I am restless, my nervous system is overly stimulated by so much technology, so many exciting events and news. There is a revolution happening in Europe, it is really happening. What are we leaving for the future generations? We need to fight for clean soil, clean water, clean air, and clean food. It feels overwhelming sometimes. I notice some shame for not showing up enough for myself, and for others. Lack consciousness is knocking at my door.
My kidneys could be out of balance in this season according to Traditional Chinese Medicine, and fear is like an old friend. An innervoice whispers to go inward and to be still. Cooking some root vegetables and eating some warming foods at this time can be supportive also. Sipping some ginger tea, I feel the warm zing of this spicy root, and my solar plexus feels more activated. After some meditation and some journaling, my emotions calm down, I find hope and positivity again. I did make some progress this year! It has lead me closer to my purpose. I am enough. I can ask for support if I need. I am so grateful for my community, and for all the new friends whom I have met this year. I find gratitude for the abundance that is always available to us if only we tap into it.
It is Winter time, there still is life all around. I hear the uninterrupted rhythm of Gaia. Her sounds have become more subtle. We are all connected and we are all going through these transitions. There are so many ways I can still enjoy the elements in this season. I love to sit by a window at a cafe in town, and write during the day. Father Sun gently keeps me warm, and reminds me to appreciate these hours of subtle light. I make time to cultivate a sacred relationship with the elements.  I love to walk barefoot on the beach or in the woods in Big Sur. I love to take floral bath with salts, or go to hot springs and receive the healing of the minerals.
We move at a slower pace, and we harness our energy so that we may sustain into the Spring. There are very powerful yogic breathing practices (pranayama) that can support conserving our energy and keeping our immune system high. It also a great time to practice Yin yoga and acupuncture, that will address the kidney and bladder meridians in this season so we may have vitality and feel hopeful.
I place my trust in Spirit to support me. Prayers work, balanced with gratitudes. Maybe I don’t need to know in my mind what is next. I can feel in my heart the success and joy that await. I could allow this season to guide me towards my soul’s full authentic expression.
Rooting down into Mother Earth, sending her gratitude for our bones, we are held and supported by her. We have been here before on the Medicine Wheel. And we will be back, time is not linear. We will spiral upwards and revisit some themes with new awareness.
It is a balancing practice that we will need for the next few months of Winter. How can I cultivate vitality, and honor my need to slow down? I can prioritize self care practices. How will I keep shining my light when I feel afraid? I can surrender to the vulnerability of not knowing, and trust  myself and Spirit more. I can remember all my past success stories by holding a list near me. I can make a vision board. How can I gracefully receive the gifts of my ancestors and let go of their karma? How can I also let go of any toxic dynamics with my biological family, and welcome my soul family more into my life? I can do some deep healing work in the quantum field and reprogram my subconscious mind.
Remembering all the times when I did not know what was next, I surrender to the cycles. Life has always ended up being better than I could have ever imagined.
Embracing this season by activating our inner warrior of patience & trust, we are seeing more light one day at a time, and we will gain the clarity that we seek. May we have a warm, and nourishing season that is full of trust. May we cultivate more self love each day.
*Here is a quick Jin Shin Jyutsu practice to bring back harmony when experiencing fear, you can do this anywhere. Hold your Index finger with the opposite hand wrapped around it for 1 minute and then switch hands for another minute.
​Written for Urban Magic Collective zine

Big Sur CA 2010 - by Aya Dunin