Seasons and Cycles

Seasons.

Cycles.

Rhythms.

Flow.

They are foundational.

Nature moves in seasons and cycles.

Our bodies move in seasons and cycles.

There is a rhythm and a flow to all things in balance.

When flow is stagnated or rhythm is disrupted, we feel it.

We feel it when it occurs in Nature.

We feel it when it occurs in our Communities.

We feel it when it occurs within our own bodies.

In my last letter, I took this topic and went in the direction of cycling women.

Today, I take this topic and go in the direction of living alongside the seasons.

-:-:-

The more we deepen our relationship with the plants and Nature as a whole, the more significant the seasons (and the rhythms and cycles that come with them) become.

The rhythms of Nature are interwoven within us, regardless if we live among the distinct five seasons as we do in the Midwest or if we live closer to the equator and don’t get the blessing of experiencing such starkly different seasons throughout the year.

The seasons are sustainable.

Each individual season offers so much to the seasons past and the seasons to come.

As a whole, the seasons create a rhythm, a flow for life as we know it.

As the seasons are interwoven within each of us,

Our systems desire the sustainability and life-givingness that they offer.

Yet so many of us have found ways, consciously or not, to detour around the natural rhythm.

Although there is much involved in finding our way back to living closer to a seasonal rhythm,

A great first start is to take some time to lean into each of the seasons and explore the lessons and wisdom that each carries.

Although I have written (and will continue to write) on such topics, I have desired to join in community around each of the season transitions - to reflect on the season past and lean into the season ahead - to explore the pattern of the season ahead and how it might affect us as well as how we might support ourselves within it - in a space with others similarly curious and desiring a life that feels a little more in flow with Nature.

It was out of these desires that “Earth & Body” was created.

Earth & Body is a series of gatherings throughout the year, each one coinciding with the transitioning of the seasons: Spring, Summer, Autumn, Winter.

The first gathering, Earth & Body: The Wisdom of Spring, will be March 11th at 6:30pm in Mankato.

Although the gatherings flow one to the next, each gathering can stand alone.

You may choose to join for one or join for all four, it is entirely up to you!

-:-:-

Winter can feel long and it seems this winter has felt particularly long for many.

Spring and Late Winter have begun blending, fading into one another.

Soon the sap will begin to run, the snow will melt, and the ephemerals will bless the forest floors.

Hang in there if the cold days have taken their toll.

~ Kara