Self Care and Nature Cycles
The cycles throughout the day as well as throughout the year can be powerful, if you know how to access their energies. Most times, your connection is subtle, flowing through one moment to the next - day and night, activity and rest, hunger and satiety, growth and harvest, and desire and disinterest. It's impossible to be on all of the time. We live in a world of contrast - opposites that give us clarity and sense of purpose. However, when these opposites generate emotions of apathy, anger, discontent, or disconnection that linger for a while, interfering with inspiration, joy, abundance, and positive emotions, it's time for extra self care. Have you recognized your need for self care? Nature's cycles can not only affect your energy, but possibly dictate behaviors that work in harmony with natural energy. I model this concept on inspiration from the natural cycles within the Medicine Wheel. Images are from my Medicine Card deck and are available to purchase.
Morning, Spring, and Air
Wakefulness, sun activation, warmth, movement, and joy occupy this portion of the cycle. Even on a cloudy day, the brightness of the morning signals a fresh start. It's also biochemical. Rest from the previous night creates serotonin in your brain which gives you energy. From a yearly cycle perspective, Spring is a reactivation process, also associated with birth and new beginnings.
From a shamanic element perspective, Air dominates the cycle. For self care, it's a great time to nourish and hydrate, stretch, exercise, and capture ideas from your dream state. Breathe slowly and deeply to activate theta brain waves in your meditation. Relax into remembering your purpose and creating new ideas, This opens inspiration on our path through East on the Medicine Wheel.
Daytime, Summer, and Fire
As your day becomes filled with activity, you burn through your energy, getting tasks done, elevating your mission with passion. If you do what you love, you never work a moment. This is what the second cycle of Nature is about - passion, creation and manifestation, drive and focus through the element of fire and light of day. In shamanic terms, animal guides like canines and felines offer protection and wisdom.
Experience the growth of summer days and find moments of leisure to embrace what you love most. For self care, be free to unwind after you access the power of fire energy. There's power in fire, and even fire must be fueled by oxygen and enrichment. Invoke harmony with your environment. There's value in a slow burn. Love your life. Find love in everything you do. This is guidance we derive through South on the Medicine Wheel.
Evening, Autumn, and Water
The evening is a perfect time to let go, embrace the abundance of the day, and release all cares to the water. The journey of life has memorable moments filled with joy as well as despair. It's up to individuals traveling their personal journeys to be aware of their value, achievements, interactions, and connections while recognizing the need to heal. In shamanic terms, water can feel like a cleanse, and even forgiveness.
Reaping the harvest means to take what you need and leave the rest. Extra apples on the tree feed animals throughout the winter. You're not alone on your journey. As all life moves along the timeline, you may offer compassion, support, and companionship. Let everything else you carry as extra weight go. This is the journey through West on the Medicine Wheel. Take time for self care in letting go.
Night, Winter, Earth
In the night, sleep makes all things possible as your dreams reframe and solve mysteries while awakening you to new possibilities. Hope comes from knowing you're not the only one who's traveled this road. You stand on the shoulders of your ancestors, discovering that the paths they took hold great wisdom for you. In shamanic terms, the element of Earth has stability, strength, and knowledge captured within crystalline form.
Self care in this Direction means it's time to rest while regeneration happens silently in the night - or in the winter. Above ground, things may appear dead, lost, and lifeless. Beneath the surface, life stirs, waiting for the right moment to begin anew. This is the hope offered by North on the Medicine Wheel.
Learn More About the Medicine Wheel for Self Care
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The Medicine Wheel - Harmony, Wholeness and Personal Power through your Connection to Nature Spirits, Seven Directions, and Multiple Dimension.
