For those of us in the Southern Hemisphere, last Sunday (22nd September) marked the Spring Equinox. Each season has it's own energy, providing us with lessons to learn and magic to discover as we co-create a flavoursome chapter in our lives. If we can understand nature and her cycles, we can see our own journey reflected back at us. By observing our environment and the wisdom life has to offer in this moment in time, we can harness gifts of clarity and experience deep growth in harmony with the natural laws of the universe.
In this article I will discuss the cycle of the seasons, providing a brief overview of each one's teachings and how this can influence our self-development as individuals. I will look at how we can utilise this natural system as a creative process, unlocking our innate potential in order to thrive in life. I will provide you with some reflective questions you can ask yourself to support you in building a positive relationship with nature so that she may guide you on your journey, connecting to peace from within and expanding with loving intention. So, let's get to it!
Photograph by Author Tūī Krösschell. Location: Redcliffe, QLD
The Seasons
A season is a period of the year that is distinguished by special climate conditions. The four seasons—spring, summer, autumn, winter—follow one another regularly. Each has its own light, temperature, and weather patterns that repeat yearly. How we experience seasons around the world can vary greatly, depending on our position between the North and South poles and distance from the equator. We both grew up in Europe (Tui in England and Yannik in Germany) and experienced clear differences between the seasons (even if the UK is notoriously wet and grey!) We have spent the last 4 years on the Southern Hemisphere, so now the seasons are during opposite times of the year. Currently based in Australia in the middle of the East Coast (North Brisbane), we find the seasonal shifts more subtle, with evergreen bushland and mild winters with plenty of sunshine throughout the year. However, I feel more now than ever that my internal universe is similarly as cyclical in nature as life is on the outside. Extreme or mundane weather aside, the spirit of each season is always present and its wisdom can reveal itself in many ways. Let's take a closer look at each one and their teachings.
Spring
Ah, spring, what a delight you are. A sigh of relief for many after the slog of winter, or perhaps a stir in the air fresh with excitement, for those who are ready to rise from a restful slumber. Spring is the unfurling of a new chapter, grounded in lessons learnt from the previous. A time to gain momentum on what's working well for us and drop what isn't. It is the walk towards light, guided by the light we have discovered within.
With a spring in our step, we head towards our heart's desires. It is in this walk we find joy, realising that we have already arrived in every moment. Spring is our love for the journey, the rise of energy that promises more to come. Spring is the harmony of flow, the joy of being here now to experience the ways in which life moves. It is intention in motion. Expansion. Halfway into a deep inhale, held in the balance of love and peace.
To ensure you are going in the right direction, you may want to focus on strategy, creating a plan of action designed to achieve long-term goals or a fruitful summer. By having a clear focus on the sun ahead, grounded in our deepest needs, you can allow yourself to get lost in the beauty of the life you have created, savouring each step along the way. What I suggest you do first is journaling to instigate the thought process, in order to understand what you want during this time and what you want to build towards. You can use these reflective questions as prompts:
What key theme(s) did I experience throughout winter and what has this taught me?
What do I need and what do I want?
What am I most grateful for?
What would I like more of in my life?
What are my core values and character strengths?
What key events are coming up in the next few months and how do I want to feel when they arrive?
Note: you can get super creative with the reflective process by drawing, doodling or collaging your ideas. The more you play and absorb yourself in the process, the more able you are to manifest your dreams.
Artwork by Author Tūī Krösschell
A key aspect of spring is to find a happy balance between mind, body and spirit. What is your relationship with each of these components and where might you need to give more attention? As conscious beings, we have the gift of self-awareness. Be compassionate with yourself and recognise where you are in life and where you would like to go. There are no right or wrong answers here, just resonance. Listen to your heart and use your brilliant mind to come up with a plan that offers peace and stability, health and wealth, or excitement and adventure. Whatever it may be, just remember that it's about the process, not the outcome. By building on an idea or set of intentions we can find comfort in the unfamiliar, connection in the unexpected and empowerment of our weaknesses. Once you have a strategy (this can be as loose or as organised as you'd like) set in motion, allow things to unfold organically. Smell the roses, feel the grass beneath you, gaze at the sky above. Magic is in the moment, exactly where you are. Allow things to come to you and take action on intuitive signs.
Summer
If you didn't already know it, you have arrived! Summer, our lover, giver and provider. Summer is abundance, the season of harvest when the fruits of our labor begin to ripen and flourish. Summer is aliveness, fullness, the joyful pleasure of being free. In many cultures around the world, summer is a symbol of life, vitality and transformation. As the sun spends more time with us high in the sky, the longer days and golden heat can motivate, inspire and energise us to pursue our passions. The energy of fire is strong this time of year, we are strong. Use this energy to grow and expand, be vibrant and spread your wings in radiance.
Notice where you are flourishing in your life, what brings you joy and what empowers you. What do you love to do? What gives you energy? You could also enhance your adventurous side, exploring new places, new routes, new ideas. Feelings of nostalgia may also come up during the summer, as we gaze whimsically at the blue skies with distant memories of peace and happiness, carefree innocence from summer holidays of simpler times. We can carry the romance of this forward into our lives now as inspired co-creators. What new memories or experiences are you making now? How much has grown each summer, whether it be in your mindset, career, environment or relationships? We are constantly evolving and summer is a good time to revel in it.
Autumn
As we climb back down from the peak of summer, autumn brings a wave of cooler air to bring balance into our lives. Summer was eventful and fun, now we reap the rewards. How can we live sustainably from the harvest? In gratitude for all that we have gained and the abundance that flows our way, autumn is a time to cherish how far we've come and let go of what no longer serves us. Autumn is the season of change, as leaves turn orange and fall.
Autumn mirrors the transitions we experience in our lives. So the question is, what is changing in your life now? How are you dealing with it? Now is the time to ensure we have a healthy and uplifting toolbank to help us through times of change. Change isn't easy for any of us and can often be triggering. This is not a bad thing, this is how we know what needs to change. Recognise what is happening around you and how centred you feel in the midst of it all. Focus on your breath, your peace, and the rest will follow. Embrace the change, for new ideas await. A new way of being is here.
Winter
I find it fascinating when people say their favourite season is winter, as a sun worshipper myself. It's more understandable in Australia, where the winter is a comfortable break from the scorching heat, but some of my nearest and dearest from the UK prefer a cool climate and overcast skies so they can cosy up in their finest winter attire. Black leather boots and fur trimmed coats, knitted jumpers and mulled wine by the fire. There's a mysteriousness to the air of winter, a childhood remembrance at the tip of my tongue. The magic of Christmas as a child, sitting around a board-game and putting out a cookie or glass of milk by the fireplace. I feel the space of winter and the warmth of our hearts, like candles flickering ominously in a dark room.
Whether we experience Christmas during winter or not (or celebrate it at all for that matter) the magic this Christian holiday inspires is here in the depths of winter, wherever you may be. Winter is the season of introspection and deep connection to our inner universe. This is where the real magic happens. A time to rest and reflect, to nourish ourselves in mind, body and spirit, and to live closely with our own energy. Like a bear preparing for hibernation, it's natural to spend more time at home or warm spaces to fill ourselves back up. During this time, focus on your needs. And most importantly, putting your needs first. What is it that you need from the bottom of your heart, in the depths of your soul? There is a very quiet space within you that holds the answer, you just need to learn how to listen.
Life moves in a spiral
From winter, we move into spring again, and the whole cycle repeats. The seasons are 4 parts of a circle, transitioning from one to the next, there is no beginning and no end. This could be experienced as a repetitive pattern and if we struggle to recognise the patterns we live by, making it difficult to break out of lower frequencies. Trust in change and be grateful for the lessons of Mother Nature, who is with us every step of the way. If we can tap into the infinite intelligence of the cosmos through our everyday thoughts, emotions and actions, life is an evolution of the soul. The endless circle becomes a spiral as we gravitate upwards energetically, connected to a higher consciousness. The more aware we become, taking responsibility for our lives and learning from our mistakes, the more able we are to create happiness in a healthy, supportive way. We are here to thrive, not just survive, and building a positive relationship with the planet we spend our whole lives on is a humbling path to enlightenment. The earth is a great teacher, our guide. Embrace the seasons as lessons for the soul.
Whether you are on the Northern or Southern Hemisphere, we are all under the influence of an equinox. This is prime positioning to experience equanimity in our lives, harmonising with the ebb and flow of life as the equinox balance's night and day at each end of the spectrum. Utilise this time to find common ground and develop your sense of stability and security. Express love and gratitude for one another, the beauty of nature and the blessing of life itself. We are here, now, together, so we might as well enjoy it!
Thank you for reading beautiful people, let us know your unique perspective by reaching out to us on here or social media - @cocreators.connective
Peace and Love,
Co-Creator Tūī
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