Return of the Sun

   Winter came early here in the Northeast U.S. We rarely ever get snow here in southern new York before Christmas. When we were growing up, my brothers and i used to pray for snow so we could have a White Christmas and go sleigh riding.

   So today, December 17th, we had our first snowfall. At 6 am there was already an inch, but then it continued until it was 4 or 5 inches. Then came freezing rain, promising to make the roads even more slippery. Followed by rain. So by tonight it will be an icy mess.

   Although it felt like a dark and dreary day, cold and rainy, I knew that as of December 15th, our sunsets here would be a minute later, so that by the end of January it will be light at 5 pm after work. About a week ago sunset was at the same time each day, instead of retreating even early.

   We still have the Winter Solstice on December 21st and that will be when day and night will be of equal length.

   And last year I wrote a lot about the effects that light has on us - how all the darkness so early in the day can make us feel tired, and some people depressed.

   But then I thought about light in terms of color. What can be more beautiful than light when it hits stained glass so that the color in the glass seems to radiate. Is color itself a form of light? Is light a form of color? Doesn't light break down into the colors of the spectrum? At least what we can see with our vision.

   So, if we are craving or  missing light, maybe the use of color in our lives can help compensate for that.

   Surround yourself with your favorite colors. The reds and yellows are warm, invigorating, the blues are cool and calming.

   What started  me down this particular path was looking at the sky and clouds. I was caught by the fact that some of the clouds in the sky were pink. I wondered why pink?

  The reason for colors in the clouds and sky is because light becomes scattered. I never thought about light in these terms before. So light are color are everywhere - we just have to see it with our eyes and conscious of our surroundings.

   Every sunset and sunrise are different colors every day. No two are ever alike, which to me is amazing. Imagine how boring ti would be if everything was the same every day.

   So the blue color of the sky is a direct result of what is called "Rayleigh" scattering which redirects the higher frequency (blue) sunlight back into the field of view. Blue light is scattered more easily than red, so the Sun can take on a reddish color when seen through a thick atmosphere like sunrise or sunset.

   As for clouds, when there is a greenish hue in a cloud, it happens when sunlight is scattered by ice. A cumulonimbus cloud (a dense towering vertical cloud) that emits green is evidence of a severe thunderstorm which can produce heavy rain, hail, high winds, and possibly tornadoes. Usually when I see green clouds I know to take cover or head home. The green is usually dark and heavy. the last green clouds I encountered was indeed a coming storm, complete with large hail stones! During Hurricane Andrew in the 90's, I heard from a friend about a greenish color. That was certainly a powerful hurricane, the beginning of a long line of severe hurricanes to pass through the southern United States.

   Yellow colored clouds are usually due to pollutants in the air, caused possibly by forest fires, or nitrogen dioxide in areas of countries with high pollution from industry.

    Of course the most common colors are red, orange or pink clouds which are visible mostly at sunrise and sunset by scattering of light from the Sun.

   Ever notice how the Sun gets bright red like a fiery ball when it is about to disappear below the horizon? That is because the angle between the Sun and horizon changes. If the angle is less than 10 per cent - such as just before sunrise or sunset - red is the most predominant color due to refraction so that any colors other than red cannot be seen.

    And lastly why are clouds white? Within the clouds tiny particles of water are "densely packed." Sunlight, our beautiful life giving sunlight cannot penetrate far into the cloud before it is reflected out, and the result of the reflected light is white.

   So when you can, try to observe sky and or clouds on a regular basis. You will be amazed at the ever changing colors, shapes, thickness, texture that you will see, like an ever changing kaleidoscope. It will connect you to nature instead of the bustle of daily work life, and so you will be, even if in small, living a more natural life. And feel the better for it.

   Enjoy and watch the skies. Thank you to what keeps on making the clouds.

Maery

sources: Wikipedia

2016
Dear Friends,
It is now just about an entire year since I began this blog in 2015.
I hope you have enjoyed all the articles, stories and photographs.
We are quickly approaching the season of Winter again, so below I have reposted the Winter article with the approach to the seasons and health.
Stay healthy throughout the holidays and Winter and be safe out there.
Soon, in another week, here in the Northern Hemisphere, sunset will start to come a bit later each day, so that by January it will no longer be so dark at 5 pm. Which can only mean the days are getting longer, the Sun begins its return, and Spring, don't forget, is not too far behind.
Winter is always a time for quiet contemplation, so make the best use of this season.
I only hope there is  not too much snow!
Granted here in the U.S. we are currently experiencing a drought. I did, during the most recent holiday, take some photos of water to celebrate water. Those I hope will be posted shortly.
Enjoy life and be healthy, for life is a precious commodity.
Maery



Staying Healthy

An Approach to Winter

   In the page "More About Natural Living", I mentioned writing about how the season affect us. Some of it will be observations and experiences through my own research, but also articles and the concept of the seasons through Chinese medicine. The references to Chinese medicine will include things such as the element associated with the season, as well as body organs, climate, taste, emotion, foods to include or avoid. These references are helpful and informative, however in addition to that, at some point I would like to have additional articles on how things like light and color and emotions and stress also affect us. Diet and nutrition are also important topics. So here at least is a beginning.

Winter

   The days were growing noticeably shorter even in late Aug

Gardiner's Bay and Gardiner's Island

 ust. But August found us in our cycle called Later Summer (in Chinese medicine and lore), and blending into Autumn. Now in December we should be in winter, with the Winter Solstice about to occur, even though mild temperatures here make us wonder if it is truly winter.
   Despite the temperatures, yes darkness comes earlier, and our energy retreats towards winter patterns. The rain and cold remind us that it is leaning more towards Winter, or when a storm approaches with high winds and a sharper chill to the air, we know freezing temperatures may soon be the norm.
   According to Chinese medicine, Winter is governed by the element of Water. We become introspective in Winter, and things go more dormant for a period of rest, in order to emerge again in the Spring. The trees have shed their leaves, plants wither and die and go to see, waiting for the next cycle.
   Water is essential to life. In our body, fluids like blood flowing are important, as well as the fluids in the lymph system, which help to process and eliminate waste so you can fight infections. There is also fluids like saliva, perspiration, tears and urine. Everything is flowing, and should be flowing. Water is part of the circulation system, perhaps like the oceans for the earth.

   The body organs that dominate in the Winter cycle are the bladder and kidneys. The climate associated with Winter and Water is cold, and the compass direction for Winter is the North.
   I have read that the kidneys are nourished by cold, but extreme cold and or wetness can weaken the kidneys. I think of the few times I have been in desert areas of the world, with such a compelling dryness, and remember what a different feeling when compared to humidity. I remember being in Colorado as well, in higher altitudes, and having the skin on my hands cracking from the dry air, which I was not used to, and coming home to breathe in moist air for my lungs. In Israel it is hot during the day, and then cold at night, and also dry. The wind also takes moisture out of your body there, so you must drink a great deal of water especially if you are outdoors. It was a harsh environment it seemed, which would put stress on our bodies and systems if we are not used to it, but we can always adapt. I know recently while visiting the local mountains, the Catskill area, it was 64 degrees in November, but there was a damp and biting wind and no sun and I was indeed chilled to the bone. You can think back to your own experiences with temperatures and conditions and remember how it felt, or be more conscious of this in the future.

   The taste that is associated with Winter is salt. Interestingly most water has salt in it, as well as our blood, and also of course the oceans. If you crave salt or dislike salt you may have a Water imbalance. If you eat too much salt, it creates a craving for water and can weaken the kidneys. Salt can also cause water retention and toxins to be held, so we can become easily toxic. Salt intake is also linked to high blood pressure. There will most likely be another whole article on salt, but best not to add it to food, and if you must use salt in cooking, use something more natural like sea salt, as table salt has alot of chemicals and additives, in addition to being bleached.

   The emotion of Winter is fear, whether it be anxiety, stress or any other emotion. Trembling is actually a water imbalance and is a release of fearful energy and tension. Think of the expression "paralyzed with fear" - fear can be a very powerful emotion, and can create blockages. Fear in some ways blocks many things, because it numbs you.

   The sound of Winter is groaning. Have you ever heard trees that grown in the wind during a storm? Their branches creak and groan. For people, the sound of a groan comes from deep within.

Some Considerations

   So what can you do to fortify yourself or flow with the ways of the Winter season?

   Well first think about Water and emotions. Water can be calm, still or gentle, or stormy, and hard to contain. How do you feel when you become too emotional? We may feel drained, and we can easily become exhausted and run down. We also need to remember that our kidneys are a filter for the blood systems and also ridding the body of toxic waste and heavy metals. So we can eat well and cleanse, although Spring is technically the time for deep cleansing.

   Negativity can also be harmful, and must be eliminated from the body, believed to be processed out through the bladder. So it is important to be positive and have a good attitude, and using positive affirmations on a daily basis.

   Other suggestions that might help in the Winter season include things like massage, where it will work on the meridians associated with the kidney, for example, along the spine. Massage also helps to relieve tension and toxins. Yoga is also excellent, providing stretching, relaxation and reducing stress.

   With diet and nutrition, you would want to eat foods that provide a little more heat, eat a little heavier, but not too heavy. Everything should be in moderation. When you over eat at Thanksgiving you often feel heavy and bloated.
   Your diet for winter should include hot soups with plenty of fresh vegetables, and spices that warm like ginger, garlic and cayenne pepper. Small amounts of whole grains are good fuel in winter, like millet, buckwheat, brown rice with red or black beans or lentils. Remember do not add salt to your food, because there is already some salt in your food, and we do need some salt. Sea salt is the most natural. If you bathe in the ocean or take a mineral bath, the stored salts and toxins will be drawn out. Food will taste like real food without adding alot of salt. I gave up adding salt to my food, sometimes substituting with garlic or onion instead.

   It is also important to keep warm in the winter - sitting by the fire, or with a blanket and a hot herbal tea or soup. Eating more cooked warm foods as opposed to cold or raw in winter. 

   Before long the days will get longer and the sunshine brighter, bringing about another whole new cycle of rebirth to look forward to.

Stay warm,
Maery

(remember to always follow the advice of your health care professional when it comes to health, diet and exercise)