Winter Physical and Emotional Restoration

Copyright (c) 2008 Mary Ann Copson

Winter is a time of moving deep inward. It is a time of conservation, rest, storage and quiet replenishment. When winter comes upon us there is a darkening of skies and a blanketing of growth. The cold drives us to huddle in our den and seek our warmth from within. We move toward greater receptive and introspective energy and slow our outward expansion.

Winter is the time of rest. You may find that you require more sleep, down time and quality rest. In winter, you may need an earlier bedtime and a later wakening time. Because of this pull toward rest, you may also be drawn to mediate, pray, dream or contemplate more deeply to restore your spiritual energy.

Autumn energy drives us downward to our roots where we hibernate through the stormy, housebound times of winter. The darkness of winter pulls us inward calling us to be more receptive to our own needs and the counsel held deep within us.

Seemingly contradictory, the Winter Solstice - the beginning of winter - is actually the harbinger of light. Devoid of outward growth in the dead of winter, every day from the solstice on gets longer.

As we draw deeper into ourselves and mimic this contradictory aspect of winter, we too are in the process of storing, building and generating our own light. The light must first collect internally before it is strong enough to sustain our outward growth and expansion.

To facilitate growth in the newness of spring, winter is the time in which you need to take special care of yourself through nutrition, warmth, and rest.

Winter Correspondences:

Water is the element that corresponds to winter. Water governs the metabolism and controls the bladder. Water is the essential fluid of life through which all things must pass. Most of the human body is made up of water. Water is the receptive element, the element of the emotions and winter can be a time of deep emotional experiences.

The kidneys and the bladder are the two organs that deal with the body's water and so are associated with winter.

The kidneys "open to the ears" and the ears are the sense organs associated with winter wellness, as is the sense of hearing and the ability to listen.

The kidneys are seen as being the storage place for our life force. They are the seat of the cycle of transformation and they generate our will and ambition. The kidneys are related to the adrenals, which generate energy, warmth, and sexual and reproductive expression in the body.

The kidney/adrenal connection is the foundation of the body’s energy expression - both outward reaching and inward gathering. A healthy, vital kidney/adrenal connection allows for the proper balancing of opposites: calm yet energetic, strong yet nurturing, active yet restful. Disruption in the kidney energy in the body may show up in a number of ways including:

Problems with the bones

Problems with hearing and the ears including ear infections

Problems with the head and the hair including hair loss

Problems with sexuality and libido, reproductive problems and urinary problems

Slow or poor growth of the mind or body

Accelerated aging

Excessive fear or insecurity

A loss of the "sparkle" in the eyes

Fear is the emotion of winter. Like the winter, fear can be deeply rooted internally. When there is poor or weak kidney/adrenal energy, excessive fear, phobias and general anxiety are likely. Restoration and rejuvenation of the kidney/adrenal energy resolves this fear and opens up the pathway to joy and loving expression. Often deep fears and insecurities will not yield to insight and understanding until the kidney/adrenal pathway is restored and strengthened.

The climate is cold and the associated direction is north - the place of wisdom, introspection, intuition, and ancestral guidance. Groaning is the sound of winter and the color of winter is blue and black.

The kidneys influence the storage of the life force in the bones and the bone marrow. "I felt it in my bones" is an indication of a deep and intense intuitive knowledge. Winter is a great time for undergoing restorative bodywork.

The sexual organs and sexuality are also water/winter elements. Either too much sexual activity or too little sexual activity may be related to the health and functioning of the kidney/adrenal complex. Traditionally the predominate energy flow through the bladder occurs between 3-5 PM and through the kidneys between 5-7 PM. During this time, relaxation and rest may be required to stay emotionally centered and receptive. If you have difficulty getting through this time of day you may need to regenerate your kidney/adrenal pathway by including nourishing winter foods in your diet.