Rhythms of Life

Dancing Nature's Rhythms

Dahan – Great cold – The final chapter of Winter

Dahan, meaning “Major Cold,” is the last of China’s 24 Solar Terms and traditionally marks the coldest period of the year. It usually falls around January 20th, when winter reaches its seasonal peak before gradually giving way to spring.  It is the cold of a bare branch against a slate sky, of breath hanging crystalline in the air. Dahan emphasizes rest, storage, Read more about Dahan – Great cold – The final chapter of Winter[…]

Aquarius 2-4 am

Fixed air – breath hanging crystalline in the air. Lightness – After the watery goat sees the way through rules rules rules, Comes The airy water bearer. Fixed air sign right at the end of winter. Time to embrace new potentials and to open our minds to alternate perspectives. The new is moving emerging from the Read more about Aquarius 2-4 am[…]

Capricorn New Moon – First lunation of 2026

January 18th – February 17th Capricorn mountain goat finding a way through even the toughest mountain terrain. Capricorn season is the time of year when people turn inward—the dark and cold time. Capricorn energy invites us to hunker down and find the way through. Roots. Use this Capricorn new moon to consider what work needs to Read more about Capricorn New Moon – First lunation of 2026[…]

January

Stirrings. January takes its name from Janus, the Roman god of beginnings and endings. He had two faces so he could see the future and the past! He was also the god of doors. Winter light. Naked trees and bright moons. Dark skies and stars. Quieten rest in the stillness Ice and snow swirl and whirl Breathe Read more about January[…]

Capricorn Season Midnight – 2am

Winter solstice – Jan 21st / end of lunation Suspended energies going in both directions light is rising but temperature dropping Drop out of bottom of out breath Low energy – Quiescence – Be still – Rest Deep sleep know that stuff is happening  Work is going on – Trust let yourself be worked on by unseen Read more about Capricorn Season Midnight – 2am[…]

Winter solstice

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/b06s96l4?partner=uk.co.bbc&origin=share-mobile BBC Radio 4 The essay Winter solstice From Sharon Blackie Old Crane woman There is an old Greek term: ‘halcyon days’. It springs from a story about the halcyon (from the kingfisher family), about which Aristotle has this to say: ‘The halcyon breeds at the season of the winter solstice. Accordingly, when this season Read more about Winter solstice[…]

Winter solstice – the Hibernal solstice

In Persian culture, the winter solstice is called Yaldā (meaning: birth) and it has been celebrated for thousands of years. It is referred to as the eve of the birth of Mithra, who symbolised light, goodness and strength on earth. LIZ LOCHHEAD In the Mid-Midwinter ‘Tis the year’s midnight, and it is the day’s – from John Donne’s ‘A Nocturnal Read more about Winter solstice – the Hibernal solstice[…]

Winter

Monk: What happens when the leaves fall and the trees are bare?Union: The golden Wind, revealed.Hegikan Roku the blue cliff record.Yoga through the seasons Sandra sabatini,In Buddhism the Golden Wind is a metaphor for the reality that you can only experience and which we call God.  From midway between Samhain and winter solstice, so the Read more about Winter[…]

Winter

“On the coldest day you appreciate the warmth of the fireand the blanket around you the most .On the darkest night you can see the stars of the northern skyand endlessness of the universe the clearest.” The Making of Winter Poem – Secret Garden In Celtic nations such as Ireland, the winter solstice is traditionally considered as Read more about Winter[…]

A GOLDEN COMPASS

Forget every idea of right and wrong any classroom ever taught youBecause an empty heart, a tormented mind, unkindness, jealousy and fearAre always the testimony you have been completely fooled!Turn your back on those who would imprison your wondrous spiritWith deceit and lies.Come, join the honest company of the King’s beggars –Those gamblers, scoundrels and Read more about A GOLDEN COMPASS[…]

The best season

Ten thousand flowers in spring, the moon in autumn,a cool breeze in summer, snow in winter.If your mind isn’t clouded by unnecessary things,this is the best season of your life. by Wu Men Hui-k’aiEnglish version by Stephen Mitchell Flowing in and out of all the cycles of the life. Our breath, the circadian daily rhythmn , Read more about The best season[…]

For Calling the Spirit Back from Wandering the Earth in Its Human Feet

Joy Harjo Put down that bag of potato chips, that white bread, that bottle of pop. Turn off that cellphone, computer, and remote control. Open the door, then close it behind you. Take a breath offered by friendly winds. They travel the earth gathering essences of plants to clean. Give it back with gratitude. If Read more about For Calling the Spirit Back from Wandering the Earth in Its Human Feet[…]

Moon phases

Watch the animation below to see how the phases of the Moon work during a complete lunar cycle. https://www.rmg.co.uk/discover/explore/names-full-moons-throughout-year How many phases of the Moon are there? In between these, the Moon goes through multiple stages of partial illumination during its different phases. These are the banana-shaped crescent Moon, the D-shaped quarter Moon and the almost complete gibbous Moon. Read more about Moon phases[…]

The Natural Flow of Life

In the Complete book of Oriental Yoga Hatha and Taoist Yoga for the Seasons By Michael Hetherington says,“ There is no doubt that energy moves through us differently according to the time of day, the climatic conditions, the attitudes we harbor and the cycles of the moon, just to name a few. With the natural Read more about The Natural Flow of Life[…]

Monday 13th January – Plough Monday

The Shepherd’s Calendar – January by John Clare Withering and keen the Winter comes, While Comfort flies to close-shut rooms, And sees the snow in feathers pass Winnowing by the window-glass; Whilst unfelt tempests howl and beat Above his head in chimney-seat. Now, musing o’er the changing scene, Farmers behind the tavern-screen Collect; — with elbow idly press’d On hob, reclines the corner’s guest, Reading the Read more about Monday 13th January – Plough Monday[…]