Long hours of snuggling under down comforters with my honey… pots of hot Chai steaming on the stove… the promise of many long conversations by the fire stretching out on sheepskin rugs in sexy flannels…
Gazing at the patio wet with a late fall rain, yellow and red leaves litter the grey stones from the majestic trees that are preparing for winter in our backyard. I feel into the natural state of hibernation, the inactive state, that moving into winter invites.
Bears do it… other animals and plants do it, yet the human animal tends to just keep going. I find resistance in myself to the idea of entering into a more dormant state of any kind. I admit to being someone who avoids inactivity, preferring motion as a means of constant exercise.
I like to keep moving. Moving is my way of meditating. Recently I heard my left knee calling for my attention… throbbing pain calmed by ice packs and thoughts of dreaded doctor appointments, MRIs, and worst of all, surgery! Instead, I pursue the healing arts with gusto, making more time to do my Pain Free Egoscue E-cises, upping the ante on my Green Drinks (thanks to Amrita who recently cared for me in her new home in North Carolina, and fed me THE most delicious green drinks every morning).
The relief for this knee arrived at the Naturopath’s office and an injection of ozone, or Prolozone. Brilliant!!! Immediately my energy returned and my recovered knee now supports all of my chosen activities. Whew! That was too close for comfort. Yes, I know, I’ll see the Orthopedic doc too for an MRI. I am simply too young to be knocked down by failing mechanical parts.
I admit to carrying a long-held belief system that I am my own best doctor and healer. Call it Naturopathy or Self Healing, but I make peace with hibernation so that I can listen more deeply as silence surrounds me. I don’t do Thanksgiving or Christmas family visits or dinners… I spend them hibernating! I often prefer fasting or juicing on holidays when I would normally collapse from stuffing and desserts. This being my last declared year living in “winter,” I am determined to make the most of it. Oh, by the way, does anyone want my skis, boots, helmet, and cutest Spider “on the slopes” jacket and pants, size 10? Going…. Going… Gone!
But before winter’s arrival, I made a trip to Western North Caroline (teehee, I renamed the state) to co-facilitate a magical weekend with Amrita. We raised the bar on Aphrodite with 13 amazing women! Offering the Nurturing Practice of AH, key to the Divine Feminine Institute trainings for many years, convinced us that groups for women must be reinstated. In conjunction with my move to Panama in August, 2017, we are scheduling a first-class Women’s Retreat in Costa Rica for November 2017, as the brand new Sacred Feminine Mystery School!
Say YES to next November with us in Costa Rica, tropical magical memories to take home to your winter’s abode… and fill yourself to overflowing with Sacred Feminine Mysteries. The sacred feminine is rising and we are rising to meet her!
What are your hibernating aspirations for this winter? What calls to you from deep inside your berry-filled cave?
In the spirit of the Seasons, Caroline (Caroleena)
Lovely. Sure wish LA would cooperate with the seasons and bless us with some cooler weather and more rainfall. Cuddling in heat — although fun and most doable — is not quite the same as cuddling by the fire.
Congrats on upping the bar with your Aphrodite retreat!
Agreed re hibernation and down time on Turkey Day and Xmas. So much easier on the digestive system and nerves.
What is that precious knee telling you?
Considering Costa Rica.
Big Hug,
Denise
Oh, how we would love to have you join us in Costa Rica!
May all of CA be blessed with rain through the winter months and beyond.
xoxo Amrita