Water Water Everywhere!
We are in it – deep winter! It is the middle of January and the world is covered in snow. While I loved living in California because…it’s an incredible place, I find that the seasonal rotation in New England mirrors the TCM five element seasonal rotation very clearly. And right now, we are in the season of Water, and it could not be more apparent. I look around and there is water everywhere, flowing off of buildings, and down streams, frozen into icicles and thick sheets perfectly preserved as it flowed down mountains and rocks, and then the snow – the beautiful reflective, clean, white snow. It sits on each twig, branch, rooftop, and fence post, lighting the contours and bringing some much needed reflected light into our eyes and onto our skin.
In TCM the water season is one of quiet, deep places, restoration and understanding fear. We rest and restore our bodies after the year’s growth, abundance, and harvest have come and gone. We drink warm watery foods like broth, tea and stew to nourish the kidneys and ensure that our base life energy stays strong and enriched. We reflect on our year and on the next year to come and we sit by the fire to keep the chill of the wet, frozen world at bay.
Winter is a testing time, and can bring out existential fear, especially if you are lacking in a fundamental need like food, shelter, clothing or warmth. Winter is the season of death before the spring rebirth, and the starkness of the world illuminates weaknesses as well as the beauty and strength of the underlying structure. Humans have concentrated holidays and gatherings in these months for a reason – our communities and our being physically together is very nurturing during water season. It can be tempting to curl up and stay put, but bringing the antidote of warmth and joy, laughter and celebration into this coldest month is important.
If you struggle during winter, consider prioritizing cooking foods that nourish the kidneys, like dark leafy greens, stewed meats and fish, goji berries, dates, and sweet potatoes. Warm your drinking water and keep your feet, lower back, and neck warm and covered. Share food with friends and ingest experiences that make you laugh – stoking the fire inside to keep the water warm and supple.
