SPRING, 2010

Yin Wood:

February 4 - March 21

I don’t know about you, but this past 3 month period of going within was the most intense I can remember. Generally I move out of my deep inner work by the beginning of January and begin SOME momentum forward. Not this year! This year I felt like I was being pulled further and further into a whirlpool of deeply unconscious patterns. I knew with my logical mind those patterns must become conscious to transform; my logical mind however, didn’t stand a chance against my emotional body, which has been alternating between tantrums and despair. Much of that came from a renewed commitment to my body, and the subsequent emotional reaction. (More about that below). Overall, it has taken every tool I have in my toolbox to get through this past three months.

February is a time of moving from inward focus to outward movement. It is the first stirring of new growth – the roots begin to wake and stretch towards the warming sun. While we may not see any new growth here in the north for some time, that does not mean things are sleeping. The sap is beginning to run in the trees. Birds are beginning to sing spring music. The sun is stronger, and even when it’s bitterly cold, the quality of the sunlight can bring a rush of energy in our bodies, as we realize the long winter is coming to an end. The days are longer, the snow is melting and it's time to take a stand and decide in which direction we are going to move.

Yet it is important to remember we are also in the last 6 weeks of our feminine cycle that began last autumn equinox. So we are in a push-pull pattern for the next 6 weeks. Pushing, that masculine energy that wants to move forward, and pulling, that feminine energy that wants to hold back and build pressure. This is a perfect time to draw back the arrow, and find the target we want to hit. But don't let that arrow fly too soon! Part of the "pulling" energy of the feminine is to BRING your target closer, so that when you let go, that arrow will fly true. Six weeks then, in which to build up pressure and get clarity about the direction we wish to go.

Which brings us to our physical strength. We experience life through our bodies. Living a passionate and successful life requires a strong body. Without a strong and healthy body, we will be unable to fully experience or appreciate all of the juicy goodness that we have created. This is an excellent opportunity to get ready for your spring flight. Find a buddy and commit to some kind of physical activity that gets your heart rate up, challenges your muscular strength, and increases your stamina. Pretend you will be running a marathon on March 21st. Pretend that your perfect life is right now flying towards you from outer space, and when it gets to you in 6 weeks, that Mother Ship is going to land right on top of you. Can you take it? Can you hold it? Can you bear the weight of your dreams come true? If you’re not strong enough, will you see it touch down then sweep on by? Or watch it pass by like a ship in the night, never close enough to actually participate in your dream?

A recent scientific article showed a link between heart disease and sitting. “The body's idling state is very, very unhealthy," says James Levine, an endocrinologist at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn. "Much like a Ferrari, the human is meant to move”. (read the complete article here). And, if you owned a Ferrari, wouldn't you take care of it? Wouldn't you do everything necessary to keep it running beautifully, so that when it came out of the garage you could enjoy the ride? Yet so many of us put our bodies last when it comes to maintenance and upkeep. We CANNOT draw our dreams to us if our bodies are not capable of CARRYING those dreams.

So as you draw back your bow, think about how much strength you will need to hold that position for the next six weeks. Then find a way to commit to taking your body to the next level of health and strength. You don't have to join a gym - there are plenty of "at-home" ways to work out. Yoga is an excellent strength-building exercise. Walking is a wonderful way of building stamina, and reconnects you to the natural world. Dancing, skipping, singing, wrestling - all ways you can participate with small children or friends who like to play. And be prepared for emotion to show up - often when we move into our bodies with more commitment, old emotions that are stored inside begin to surface. If you find yourself with a short fuse, or wanting to burst into tears for no reason, remember that it could just be your body letting go of stored emotions. (It can be part of a great weight-loss plan!!) Allowing those feelings to exit your body in a safe and respectful way can open room for wonderful new choices.

The bottom line is, you deserve to enjoy the life you've created with full passion and participation. Put yourself first in your life, and see what kind of unexpected miracles and good fortune come.

Blessings!

Cat

"One's feelings waste themselves in words; they ought to be distilled into actions which bring results."
-Florence Nightingale