Winter Waterfall

Winter Solstice 2025

      Well Winter is upon us. It came suddenly - with no bearing in mind for the calendar marking the date and following tradition. Mother Nature seems to have a mind of her own these days.

   We had an early snow storm this year - which worries me - for if snow starts very early it is often a sign of things to come in the season. But as we know things don't necessarily seem to follow the seasons in the order they were given.

   No matter what it is now time for the solstice and all that the season brings. And as such we will be ending this year and ringing in a new year. Yet for once I hate to let this year go for it was a very magical year for me. Perhaps 2026 will be even better but one never knows.

   Thankfully the Sun has already started to set about a minute later already - something I watch for every year. And yet it's been so cloudy and stormy that darkness seems to fall even earlier!

   I've already started with the hot teas and soups - so warming and nourishing. It is important to consider nutrition in all the seasons but Winter especially it seems.

   Water is the element that goes with Winter. We even have water in our bodies which is important for functions like blood circulation which then carries heat thought out the body. As important is the lymphatic flow which helps to get rid of wastes and helps to also fight infections.

   The bladder and kidneys are the organs associated with the element of Water and the Winter season. the climate associated with Water is cold of course and the direction is north. Even tonight there is a strong northerly wind blowing - clearing out the storm of the last day or so. Why we even had threats of thunder! It's important not to get too cold and to stay warm and dry. It is a time to conserve energy and again there is the importance of nutrition, warmth and rest. There is nothing like curling up with a good book and a blanket with the wind howling outside like it does on a night like this.

   It is also a time of inner reflection - a kind of pause - moving from one universe of the past and into the future for as the sun gets stronger and the days lighter there is a sense of new beginnings. And of course together with water is the emotions so good to keep emotions in check. Excess emotions are never healthy. And the bladder is supposedly the storehouse of emotions so one would wonder about the cause of some bladder afflictions such as infections. And it is the kidneys that filter the blood and keep it clean. Everything in the human body is interconnected with everything else.

   Winter makes us turn inward, and in doing so it makes me appreciate the body I have. It also makes me think of how we should help and take care of each other. The other day I was in a doctor's office and there was an elderly patient who couldn't quite get their arm in the sleeve of the coat so I could not resist helping them to guide the hand in and get the coat on. It made my day.

   So wishing all of you well in this winter season.

Maery