Frozen earth. Dark nights. Dead trees. There is something deeply mysterious about this time of year for this Australian living in the mythical lands of the north. Perhaps for those born here in the Northern Hemisphere, the experience of seasonal “wintering” feels natural—a non-event. Perhaps many never gave much thought to it... But maybe you, like me, like to peel back the layers a little deeper? I’m reminded of the goddess Cerridwen, who became famous for her Cauldron of Inspiration, and her mythological associations with rebirth, transformation and change. Tales of Cerridwen are many and complex, but what she represents in essence is a meeting of the dark and the light. The “real" world and the underworld. In quite a terrible and maleficent way! (A story for another time…) With the winter solstice just a couple of days away, we’re approaching that meeting point of the dark and the light. The death of the sun is almost complete. Its low place in the sky seems stationary for a few days before it changes course, reversing, returning the light to us... and eventually the new life it brings with it. Isn't life just like that? A tussle between the dark and the light? When we reference the seasons and the shifting of the sun into and way from our preference, it becomes absurd to imagine that life can unfold only in the direction of what we want. Of what is “light”. So why do we strive so hard to maintain the light? Why can we not embrace the wintering, the darkness, the cold, the deadness? Nature teaches us repeatedly that nothing is forever. But still, we try. It’s a curious paradox, because what I see in my practice (and my own life!) is that the ones who experience the biggest shifts and enter new ways of being in the most profound ways, are those who are willing to “die” along the way. Not in the real sense of course, but to experience the death of old aspects of the false self that are no longer useful for where they are headed. What we need for that, for our wintering, is to create a space of safety and support. Physically, psychologically, spiritually even. Bahadir, an entrepreneur, said of our work together: “...she welcomed me to her safe space with all of my experiences, emotions, dreams, troubles and let me convert them into right perspectives.” And the emergence thereafter - just wow. Mythologically and paradoxically speaking, choosing to take a winter can be one of the most powerful things we can do for our personal growth. I’d go as far as to say it’s essential. And for us humans, not without resistance it seems! It needn’t depend on what the sun is doing, but if you’re feeling the calling, then perhaps it’s time we talk. Here’s to making a willing surrender to the the wintering process, and to those down in the metaphorical south… grab hold of every moment! For the time will soon come when you’ll be sending the sun back toward us again. #MythologyMonday #PersonalLeadership #PersonalDevelopment
Tim Ward
1y
I find it very fastinating how circular life is. Everything here is covered in lots of snow and the silence is so peacful.
I really enjoyed your view on Personal Leadership, I'll keep an eye out for more of your posts!
Performance Coach for Executives, Business Owners and Professionals
1yI'm currently taking applications to partner together for the coming transformation season. Have you been curious about what personal development coaching could unlock for you? Send me a DM and let's put our minds together to consider it. No strings (...unless we're talking about heart-strings, that can happen!).