“Those who look outward dream. Those who look inward awaken.” Carl Jung
In the northern hemisphere, harvesting has begun, the nights are becoming longer, and Mama Earth is slowing down, preparing for her restful hibernation. It’s a time for us to sink in and be cozy, finding warmth and comfort from within.
The universe is in constant motion. There is a consistent ebb and flow to all life, and cycles are a beautiful expression of this rhythm of life. There are times to create and cultivate when we give birth to new ideas, ventures, and chapters in our lives. There are times when we are flourishing, expanding, energized, and enjoying the blooms of our creations. There are times of completion when things come to fruition, and we are harvesting. And there are times of deep rest when integration completes and we are in preparation for our next rebirth period.
The continuous cycle of transformation is one of the phoenixes. We birth/begin something new, then we go through the death/completion/in the fire and to the ashes of the phoenix, and then resurrection/rebirth: the rising anew out of the ashes. We experience something or go through a stage of life, and then it winds down, where we gather what we’ve learned. This is the harvesting period. When we take the time to explore, discover, and claim what we’ve learned from the time or experience, we birth a new soul quality, such as more compassion, patience, strength, love, etc. This is the alchemy of our journeys. This is why the harvesting period is so significant for us and yet it is one that is often overlooked.
When we begin to align ourselves and our lives with the cycles of life, we gain so much more meaning and presence of the moment because we are in the flow of life and the laws of nature, rather than struggling against these natural rhythms. We are a part of the whole, rather than separate.
One of the most sacred cycles is the passage between the fall equinox into the winter solstice. This is because we are in a very deep yin phase, a time of deep opportunity to go within and connect with the Source and life of our being. This can be a very uncomfortable time for many because there is an increasing slow down which brings rise to hidden feelings or memories that have been unexcavated. Sure, we can distract ourselves to avoid these, yet understanding the rich window of opportunity this period offers us can be one of the most enriching and meaningful blessings we can offer ourselves.
Taking leadership of ourselves and claiming our sovereignty requires us to go inward. To know ourselves and to be able to be in the unknown. For it is here that we are revealed our deepest truth. Where we can learn to be with our painful, unresolved wounds and aspects of ourselves so they may heal and integrate back into our hearts. The path of self-love is embracing all aspects, especially the ones we are most fearful and ashamed of. These are the parts of us that need our love and attention the most. For they are the deeply fragmented parts of us that are out in the cold. Waiting for the day they can be looked upon with gentleness and care and brought back into the fold of the warmth. This is the path of integration, which brings us into wholeness. Where true unconditional love emerges.
This sacred passage offers us this time of self reflection, evaluation, and review. One of the most beautiful expressions of yin is the quality of trust. This is developed when we go within to cultivate a sense of connection to our innermost self. Thereby developing discernment for the right of action when it’s the most appropriate time to move. Where we strengthen our resolve, fostering resilience so we can stand in our sovereign self and maintain our faith, even when challenged by others or our ingrained conditioning. It is through this process that we develop unwavering trust in ourselves.
This passage is about being in the sacred womb of life. In this darkness and stillness, we are open to infinite possibilities. In this cocoon, we can discover where we need more balance. We offer our bodies and mind rest and rejuvenation. We can identify what we are ready to release if it’s no longer serving us thereby allowing new space and flow to usher in. We come to truly know ourselves. And it is through this depth of the subtle self-awareness that we become empowered and free. Where we learn how to ‘BE’.
Ways to nourish yin:
Journal prompts and questions to ponder:
