Soul in Winter

First of all, we look at the meaning of Soul. In Webster’s Dictionary, Soul is referred to as “the principle of life, feeling, thought and action in humans, regarded as a distinct entity separate from the body; the spiritual part of humans as distinct from the physical.”

The soul, tied closely to the essence of life, which is housed in nature, responds to seasons as does the rest of life. Winter, then, becomes a time of reflection and immersion in Self…the inward part of one’s being rather than the outer, extroverted Self who emerges in spring to bring forth the bloom of its content.

Winter provides an opportunity for internal reflection and assessment. As we look at the external landscape, we view what appears to be non-activity. Leaves have fallen. Trees are bare. Visible growth is minimal. In cold climates, the earth is covered by snow, and the weather is often formidable, bidding us to go within rather than venturing forth.

For those who live with the evidence of four seasons, the focus is more specific than for those of us living in climates that have little variation. It is often harder in these areas to look for outer guidelines to direct our seasonal focus, but it is equally important that we take the time offered as it is intended so that we not delude ourselves into thinking that the internal life moves without cycles.

The metaphor of winter is partially distillation and reconciliation. What have we gathered from the results of our journey through spring, summer and fall? What can we complete, and what is appropriate to leave behind? In this time reflection is a very powerful tool. It not only enables us to put things into perspective, but to prepare the soil for our renewal in spring.

When we are intent on outer activity in the winter months we often fall prey to colds or flu. This isn’t surprising given the intention of winter. When we disregard signals that life proposes, we are vulnerable to dis-ease brought on by activity that goes against our basic nature. Soul does not care that we have jobs to attend and needs to be met in order to make a living. Its focus and purpose is to bring about the necessary adjustment for inward poise and balance. Soul craves recognition of its needs in a time when many of us have forgotten who we really are and what this journey is truly about.

Part of our discontent lies in the stark reality that we have lost connection to the myths of life that propose a journey of meaning. It is the great task at the beginning of the 21st Century to once again find our place in the stream of greater consciousness, to attune to meaning and pay attention to the rhythm of the seasons, of which we are integral parts. We are not here to overcome nature, but to embrace her and work with her, making of our life an art.