On this week's New Moon January 29 we enter a New Year of the Yin Wood Snake according to the Chinese calendar. Let's dive into what that means and how it applies to not only surviving, but also thriving this year. At the end I will share my non-negotiable practices for staying sane.
The snake symbolizes transformation, rebirth, shedding ones skin to begin anew. The snake cannot fly, it is grounded, cautious, feels every vibration and hears every sound. The energy of the snake year is quieter and this year people may be more focused on restoration, health, and planning the future with caution. The snake inspires creativity, patience and inner stability.
The yin wood element correlates with the liver organ, spring time and new growth. Qi (life force energy) flows through all beings, giving birth to new branches on a tree. Yin is like the idea before it becomes reality, the pilot light always one, waiting for fuel to feed a larger fire.
This new beginning places us at a crossroads as a nation. The U.S. has a new president who is quickly attempting to shed the skin of a snake without consideration of others, maybe even trying to kill the snake altogether.
The snake represents the inner healer. We cannot destroy that which heals. It is impossible. It may be suppressed but I am pretty sure the healers of this world are too strong to let one dude get in the way of love. We've been there before, it's not going to happen again.
We are witnessing the collapse of a society built on old world views, patriarchy, male domination, slavery and racism. The next few years may be pretty tough on many people, especially those without access to resources and financial stability. But, I believe in the beauty that comes from endings because this is where transformation happens most brilliantly. When we are tested beyond our capacities, we strengthen our hearts together, leading us toward truth, love and justice.
In the last two weeks, people have asked me for advice or insight into this moment in time.
Here is what I know to be true:
What we are seeing in politics in the U.S. is not new. This dirt has been beneath our country's pores since settlement, waiting to come to the surface and pop like a nasty pimple, the gunk is rising and beginning to burst.
Be strong and take care of yourself because the burst is going to take a lot of energy and be really hard on a lot of people.
Show up for others in need: if you are well resourced, donate time, food, money and a compassionate heart to every person you interact with, even those with different values than you.
Kindness is far more powerful than violence.
Fear and confusion are tactics being used to control humanity by oppressive regimes. Don't let them fool you.
Remember that grief and fear are really tiring feelings, so get lots of rest. Balance action with rest.
Put your oxygen mask on first before helping others and tend to your inner garden.
Find courage by reading hopeful speeches, poems, books and songs.
Choose love. Embrace it like a warm hug when the fear creeps in.
Don't let fear shut you down, let it rev you up into motivation to be a better human.
Get your attention out of the muck each day by doing what you enjoy. For me this means taking long walks, listening to music, cooking a healthy meal, writing in my journal, talking with friends.
If you have time and are able, be of service to others even if it's simply lending a listening ear.
The current system is set up to keep people poor, tired, distracted and overwhelmed. Remember this. It is the design and you have a choice whether to let it take you over.
Social media is a double edged sword: it can deliver information quickly but it can also distract us from our daily lives and loved ones. Set limits on your devices and manage your time wisely.
Gather with people who bring you joy and hope during this time of unknown. Stay connected in real time, not just on social media and texting. Call your sister, your brother, your kids, your Grandma. Actually call, not just text. Hearing your voice may change their day around for the best.
Do not let toxic energy take any of your life force energy away. Instead, focus on these tools listed here for raising your vibration toward love. It's ok to feel all the feelings, it's good to cry and be angry, but do not get stuck. Breathe and let them move through you so there is space in your lungs and heart for divine order to germinate.
Shedding skin is uncomfortable but the other side is so fresh and bright, I promise.
Localize your life: food, water, friends, medicine, herbs, connection to land. Grow your own food or join a local CSA because food costs and quality are going to get more questionable.
Educate yourself about where you live and the local plants that are edible and healing.
Ask yourself: "Who are the people in my innermost circle?"
Ask the wind and water for advice.
Pray to the fire for transformation.
Go into the woods and weep.
Look up at the stars and smile.
Sit in the sun 20 mins a day and recharge.
Place water in the moonlight and drink it.
Breathe.
If all you can manage to do today is breathe. Then, let that be enough.
As the year of the Yin Wood Snake is here, it is time to embrace change and transformation in a grounded way. Here are daily, non-negotiable practices I want to share what I do to maintain a clear mind and open heart:
I say this statement to myself especially when I may have taken on another's energy or feel depressed: "I invite my body and being to release all that is not mine and gift it back to the light of consciousness. Activate change and generate healing immediately! Take a big inhalation, then exhale, shaking off energy between each statement. Repeat 3 times.
Get outside and move my body.
Bathe to cleanse with water whether in the shower, bath, rivers or lakes. Epsom salt baths in winter.
Limit the news to a few minutes a day to stay informed but not overly saturated.
Eat nourishing meals with other humans.
Write in my journal and keep a gratitude list to stay present.
Watch the birds at my bird feeder.
Drink at least 80 ounces of water / herbal tea per day.
Savor a cup of decaf espresso each morning on the couch with my husband as the sun rises,
Get into bed at 8pm, asleep by 9pm and awake with the sun between 6-7am getting 8-10 hours of sleep per night. Never set an alarm unless I have an early flight or meeting. Waking up naturally is absolutely a non-negotiable for me. I realize this is a privilege as I am my own boss.
Do something creative whether related to my work as an herbalist or cooking dinner. Using my hands keeps my mind present.
In season, garden to be rooted in the earth's cycles of life giving sustenance.
All for now from 38 years of living on planet earth as of today, February 1st, the day of my birth, Imbolc, New Moon, Aquarian all the way!
I'd love to hear from you about what you think of all this and what you do to stay rooted during times of uncertainty.
We've got this.
Warmly,
Hannah
Comments