Winter: reflect, rest, rejuvenate

As we enter into the depths of the cold nights,heartening to know that the shortest day has now passed, there is a real need to conserve energy. It is a natural time to do less, and I know you may laugh at this idea, yet I know for myself that when I adhere to natural laws, I am well. Everything in nature has retreated, gone inside. The birds are quieter, the leaves are gone, trees are bare, lifeless and the night reigns. It calls us to turn inward too. In chinese medicine, winter is the element of Water. It relates to the Kidneys and the Urinary Bladder. The Urinary Bladder is like a natural storehouse physically and in other ways it symbolises how now is a time to 'store' and reserve our Qi. The Kidneys govern development, growth and reproduction. They are the storehouse for our Jing, our essence. When we take the time to reflect, rest and rejuvenate our Kidneys and Urinary Bladder are replenished. Our connection with the essence of what is important to us is strengthened. With this in mind we can act decisively when it is Spring - the time for new growth.