🌱 The Subtle Shift Toward Spring
Can you see the signs?
In the Northern Hemisphere the natural world is slowly starting to wake up. We are seeing signs of Springtime starting to pop up. While in the Southern Hemisphere, the opposite is happening, the natural world is starting to prepare for winter.
As of yesterday, February 1, we reached the half way point between the Winter Solstice and the Spring Equinox. Slowly, the days are growing longer and if you pay close attention to the changing of the seasons, you’ll see that growth is slowly starting to emerge from hibernation.
I lived in the Pacific Northwest for a handful of years and during this time of year it’s cold, rainy and only a few hours out of the day where it's light outside. When I would take my dog for walks, I would see first the Snowdrops (Galanthus nivalis) coming up through the ground. I'd smile and know that this was the first sign of early Spring. Then slowly the Daffodils (Narcissus pseudonarcissus) and the Crocus (Crocus tommasinianus) would come up out of the ground to greet the world. Though these are the first signs of Spring and the world still feels quiet. The natural world asks us to be patient just a little bit longer, it’s not time to begin just yet.
We might have this feeling of impatience, ready to get going on the projects or launches. Our nervous system might feel out of whack with what’s happening externally. As a way to bring balance back into our bodies, I offer Trataka or Candle Gazing Meditation. All you need is a quiet space, a candle and 5 - 10 minutes.
Here are the steps for the candle gazing meditation. If you need the audio/visual version, you can find it here: Candle Gazing Meditation
Find a comfortable place to sit, and light your candle
Your candle should be arms length away at eye level
Set a timer for 1 minute to start, if you have a dedicated sitting practice set the timer for a longer period of time
Settle in and start to deepen your breath
Allow your central gaze to settle on the candle flame
Relax the space between your eyebrows, teeth and jaw
If the mind starts to wonder, gently bring it back to the candle flame When the timer chimes, allow your breath to come back to normal
Give yourself gratitude and love for doing the meditation and blow out your candle.
***Note, if you have any eye conditions such as glaucoma, cataracts or eye strain please don’t stare at the candle flame. Instead, close your eyes and envision a candle flame in your mind's eye.
Honor this quiet time of the season and start to welcome the longer days. If we take time to stop and notice, we can see the signs of Spring are just around the corner.
