January in Colorado feels like the deepest expression of winter. The holidays are over, the temperature drops, the ground is barren; and despite the turning of the solstice to the light, darkness prevails. The cold ushers us indoors at dinnertime, and we take refuge until morning.
It is for some, a more difficult time of year. Modern culture says we should be making new resolutions, setting goals, launching into the new year with renewed hope and energy. The paradox between this new year mentality and nature’s need to rest, to bury itself deep beneath the soil, can leave us feeling anxious, weary, exhausted.
Simply acknowledging that winter is the season of rest and giving permission for the mind and body to shift into a more restorative and regenerative state, honoring the darkness and savoring the dreamtime, can bring about inner awareness and insight. Allowing ourselves the space to root into the new year instead of rushing after it can generate an internal stability and process of sustained growth that will carry us through the changing seasons. How we rest now can have a lasting impact on how we gather inspiration, bring our dreams to life, practice our intentions, and let go of what we no longer need as we venture through this next year of living.
Fortunately, there are allies available to support us through the winter, to help us root down and nourish our souls and plant the seeds for spring.
Essential Oils
Black Spruce has a deep, woody, pungent fragrance that roots the spirit and calls forth strength and perseverance at the level of the soul. It is deeply restorative and offers both a place of rest and a well to drink from when we are feeling unsettled and fatigued.
Vetiver - the roots of the vetiver grass are distilled into a rich, viscous, earthy oil that stabilizes and grounds the spirit. It supports the body’s yin restorative function and connects us to the nourishment of the Mother, inviting a deep sense of peace and belonging.
Atlas Cedarwood - in ancient times this woody, sweet, uplifting oil symbolized abundance, fertility, and spiritual strength. It fortifies the will to hold steady in times of crisis or overwhelm, and helps transform difficult situations into sources of strength and wisdom.
Points
Kidney 1, “Bubbling Spring”. KD1 grounds us into the present moment, lands the spirit back into the body when it has veered off course, and invites us to meet the regenerative and gestational power of winter. A drop of Black Spruce on this point calls on the strength of the great tree to gather resources and hold us steady during states of overwhelm, fear, anxiety, and uncertainty. This point is on the bottom of the foot, ⅓ of the distance between the base of the 2nd/3rd toes and the heel.
Kidney 25, “Spirit Storehouse”. This is the place where the heart takes refuge when the world feels too harsh, when we are called to go inward for restoration and to connect to our inner knowing, when we need to heal and gather strength and wait until it is time to grow again. A drop of Atlas Cedarwood on KD25 offers a sense of safety and spiritual certainty as we wait for the storm to pass. This point is below the 2nd rib, 3 finger widths from the midline of the chest.
Dreaming is another practice that we can take advantage of during this time of yin darkness and rest. Remembering our dreams, caring about them, and becoming curious about the messages they hold for us opens a doorway to the unconscious and a pathway to inner and outer transformation. Stay tuned for a post about dreaming and dreamwork, and how you can use those night time resting hours to receive guidance and cultivate a deeper understanding of Self.
References:
Mojay, Gabriel (1997). Aromatherapy for healing the Spirit: Restoring Emotional and Mental Balance with Essential Oils.
Dechar, Lorie Eve (2021). Kigo: Exploring the Spiritual Essence of Acupuncture Points Through the Changing Seasons.
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