A Peaceful Place to Dwell

The Seasons So much happens with the changing of the seasons. The cycles in our world work to bring harmony in a way that offers beginnings, endings, and then new beginnings to start again. Everything in the universe has the opportunity to begin, to grow, to evolve, to wither, to fade and to renew. The seasons, the hours in a day, months, years, the phases of the moon, even birth, life and death. All of these cycles hold rhythms and energies, and we hold these rhythms and cycles within ourselves. Everything has a creation, an ascension and an eventual descent. I have found when we work to sync our own rhythms with these cycles we can then follow Mother Nature's lead and better go with the flow. To match our energy to the universe is to feel that interconnection. We find that the seasons easily mirror our lives through each cycle, like a playful shadow too often overlooked. The seasons also mirror our own energetic selves, specifically our chakras. These are energetic centers that regulate physical, emotional and spiritual functioning that you will learn more about in the coming pages. The seasons, the chakras and the elements are all interwoven into a beautiful thread that moves throughout life. Spring is our time of renewal and rebirth. Here new things bloom into life, the earth is fertile and abundant, and is a great time for new beginnings. We burst forth with fresh energy and shake off the dust and slumber of winter. Ready with new plans, we start to lay the tracks of new things to come in our lives. Spring is connected to the element of air and the heart chakra. Summer is peak action time, where seeds previously planted come into full fruition. There is follow through and everything is happening! The heat and the sun are connected to the element of fire, which is our drive and power center energy, the solar plexus chakra. What better time to bring it out than the summer season, everywhere there is action and we find the height of our energy cycle. When it's time for autumn, we begin to reap the harvest of all we've sewn. To see what has thrived, and what has not. The energy begin to slowly wane, and we start to remove what is no longer needed. This is the beginning of a reflective time to learn lessons and move forward with new space and knowledge. Autumn is connected to the element of water and our sacral chakra. As the energy continues to wane, winter settles in. The world goes to sleep and it is a time to regroup, to recharge, to take some deep breaths and make plans. This is a time to connect with the element of earth and our root chakra. The seasons are a great reminder that we are a part of the larger whole, that everything carries a rhythm. We flow with nature in a magical way and find we can use that rhythm to serve us in a healthy and positive way. If you are in the northern hemisphere, then your seasons will be opposite of the southern hemisphere, and if you are close to the equator you may not experience a change in seasons much at all. But know that these seasons hold a truth within ourselves that helps us reflect and evolve along with Mother Nature. SPRING EQUINOX-RENEWAL AND NEW BEGINNINGS Syncing up our lives and energy with the seasons helps us to take the path of least resistance. Like nature and the earth, we will be soon awakening from the slumber of winter. With the return of the sun the ground will be fertile, everything will move from a more passive energy to more active and new life will spring forth. Just as Mother Nature, her creatures and everything with roots get ready to bloom so shall we! Now the creative energy is strong, a time for balance, hope and warmth-with a promise of warmer days to come. We can take this time to plant new seeds, both figuratively and literally. Spring is a time to connect with the element of air and our heart chakra, use these as focal points in your meditation. Start new projects and breathe new life into what you want to drive into the new season. BEGIN Sit quietly and tune into the self. Follow the breath around the body to find any areas that feel stuck or stagnant. What feels heavy? Connect with the element of air and imagine breathing new life into that space, like blowing through cobwebs to shine light on something hidden for some time. Shake off any residual dust, heaviness and darkness to find a renewed sense energy. Think of spring cleaning for your body and your mind, clearing out some much-needed space. Your breath, like water to a seed, lets the roots emerge beneath you, anchoring you into the earth. Let the air and breath wash over you, offering nourishment that seeps deep into the ground. Feel a lengthening of the spine, drawing up through the crown of the head, like a flower reaching and yearning towards the sun. Allow the intentions of new beginnings to fill you with a sense of light and warmth. Feel the warmth begin to grow, sparking in the heart and then the belly, filtering throughout the entire body. Take the new, playful energy with you through the day today and get ready for spring! MUSINGS FOR THIS MEDITATION: 1. In what ways can you work to prepare for spring? What new directions or intentions can you set to follow this new energy being brought forth? 2. What parts of yourself and your life can benefit from some spring cleaning? How would it feel to purge the old and leave room for something new? Connect with the Seasons AFFIRMATIONS AND MANTRAS I hold fertility and potential within myself to create the life that I want I am abundant I create, I enjoy life I learn from my experiences and make the changes I need I move freely with the energy of the seasons I take time to reflect on my life I honor my inner listening I do not resist letting go of what no longer serves me SACRED RITUALS AND MINDFULNESS  Set up sacred altars to the season, use symbols that connect you with that energy  In the spring think of new things you want to put into action. Write them down and plant the piece of paper into the earth with new flowers or into a new houseplant. Nurture your new intensions and watch them grow!  Have bonfires and fire ceremonies in the summer to celebrate the sun and symbolize transformation  Can you actually feel the change in seasons? What do those changes feel like? See if you can connect with that shift in energy and match that within yourself  Keep a winter journal for reflections and making new plans  Create a yearly ritual to release what no longer serves you and begin a new cycle in your life. What can you do to let those things, mindsets or people go in a healthy and productive way?  Write down all of the things you put into motion-new projects, new promises, new directions. Collect all of these pieces of paper in a special jar. At the end of the season/year take them all out to review and see what changes need to be made  Listen to the guided meditations marked with the symbol ∞, see website at the end of this book