12. WINTER

Introspection, difficulty, hibernation

It is a time for introspection… be prepared for a challenge.

The arrival of Winter marks the start of a colder, darker season. The days are shorter, the nights longer, and the sun's warmth becomes a distant memory. Winter is a time for the plants and animals to take a rest. To stop growing and just quietly exist. Winter, however necessary, can be unwelcome and often difficult. The inhospitable weather causes animals to retreat, going into hibernation and not emerging until it is over. There is little sign of life; the plants and flowers too have died. Winter’s song is cold and bleak. It is a time of quiet acceptance and resilience, peppered with hope for the inevitable spring. There is the knowledge that this time is essential and temporary. It too shall pass.

Winter reminds you that life can present you with challenges. These periods of hardship are not only a guaranteed part of your human existence, but very necessary for your growth. The purpose of Winter is to propel you into a state of introspection, encouraging you to take a deeper look at the parts of yourself and your life that you neglected during spring and summer (easier times). Put aside your projects for a moment and just sit with everything. You will benefit from slowing down, spending time alone, and nurturing yourself. Solitude and resilience are essential in learning the lessons you are being offered. Winter may bring with it personal struggle and discomfort, but you have the strength and tools to endure it. You are a cyclical being, and just like the seasons, you go through repeated patterns of change. Remember that after Winter will come spring.