Happy New Year! Didn't we already do that?
How I'm using my hand, head, and heart this month to welcome the awakening and emerging in the Earth and in me after the deepest of winter.
"The flowers of late winter and early spring occupy places in our hearts well out of proportion to their size." - Gertrude S. Twister
February is when my new year begins. It doesn’t align to the calendar but it aligns to the seasonality I feel in the world. Maybe its because Imbolc falls at the beginning of the month and Imbolc to me is all about hope, renewal, awakening, emergence, days growing longer and warmer, first signs of spring.
Once Imbolc is behind, I feel the sensations most people express with New Year’s Day on January 1st — a fresh start, a new beginning, new opportunities, increased vibrancy, even goal setting, word for the year, etc.
Living within the seasonal rhythms means that coming from the darkness into the light is awakening. Once Imbolc arrives, I begin to wake up - energetically and mentally.
I spend the deepest part of the winter in a state of self-imposed hibernation of sorts. During this time, my body and my mind craves slowness, rest, reflection, rejuvenation.
Now, my brain turns to dreaming about the lay out for the vegetable garden and what herbs I might add to the herb garden. Plans for day hikes and extended trips sprinkle my day dreams. My skin begins to to itch with the thought of feeling sunshine on places that have been buried under layers of clothes this winter.
And, then, there are the subtle signs of this place that begin to call me back outside, for longer periods than this winter has allowed for. The water changes from a light, almost clear, color to an emerging darker color. (Although the cold water holds more oxygen during the winter, the metabolisms of many organisms, including phytoplankton and zooplankton, slow so much that the wintertime water in the Bay is the clearest of the year.) The early flowers begin to break through the soil, pushing towards the sun, even when there is still snow on the ground — Crocuses, Narcissus, Snow Drops. The heather blooms. The pussywillow buds appear. Even the trees show signs of spring with their tiny buds visible to those who look for tiny details. Geese and other waterfowl begin their journey to their northern climates.
My 12 Lotuses, My Foundation
For those who are new on this journey with me, a quick recap of my 12 Lotus is important. I took a sabbatical from A Crunchy Life beginning in January 2020. I was following a hunch that I needed to look deeply into what I was doing, why I was doing it, and how I was doing it. I didn't intend for it to take most of the year but 2020 was an unusual year to say the least.
The last conversation I had with my teacher before our family escaped to a cabin that summer, was about lily pads as a metaphor for those things that we go back to in order to re-connect and ground.
Tucked away from our daily lives of work and obligation, my husband and I went hiking while at the cabin. As we emerged over a hill, there in Winston Lake, was a thriving community of Nelumbi lutea, American Lotus. The American Lotus is distinguishable from lily pads because it is round like a pancake.
I uncovered within me twelve American Lotuses that are available to me each day as my foundation. They are all different sizes. Some are scraggly. Some are well-formed. Some days I am diligent about tapping in to them and some days it is more free-form. They all have one thing in common - they are always available to me as a reminder to integrate me and this land and universe I am part of. (More on this journey can be found at I’m Back! How shifting goals, a sabbatical, and a hike led me back to writing).
Earth, Ocean, and Me
As February awakens and reinvigorates, I feel most connected to Lotus #1 Earth/Nature. Deep-Earth-centered traditions and practices root me and I feel called to connection with the Earth where I am planted. The arrival of February begins a re-rooting into this sacred Earth. Reconnecting. Recommitting. Remembering. Re-rooting into this sacred Earth nourishes my flow, vitality, contentment, resilience, creativity, and provides opportunities to honor and steward the Earth and all she is.
Think about the characteristics of Earth:
Solid
Structural
Fertile
Stratified
Gravitational
Hidden resources
Sustains
That’s me. My father would tell me I was “sturdy” and walked like a “herd of buffalo” (sometimes it was elephants, but mostly buffalo). I’ve even had yoga teachers comment on my “heavy-footedness.” I was a tippy to-er when I was really little; I even ran on my tip toes. Then, when my legs and feet figured out how to move on the Earth, it was full foot forward and I never looked back. My feet seemed to know that full on contact with the Earth was important for me.
My body figured this out one day in the high marsh — I discovered my compulsion to lay down and look up. Sometimes during daytime. Sometimes during nighttime. Sometimes when warm. Sometimes when cold. Sometimes in snow. Sometimes in rain. Sometimes in high marsh. Sometimes on beaches. Sometimes in salt flats. Sometimes in water. Always making full-body contact with the Earth.
There are other characteristics of Earth I see in myself — stable, hardworking, loyal, creative, able to move between different environments, physically strong, working with plants. I’m a builder of sorts. I love to bring new things into the world that support others. New school buildings. Tea blends. Gardens. Even this substack.
Now, add in some water.
Fluid
Absorptive
Healing
Fertilizes
Persistent
Relational
Emotional
Sentimental
That makes for a more complete picture of me. Predominantly Earth with secondary water. Hence, my deep connection to the Ocean since she is Earth (the ocean floor, mountains, trenches, sediments, rocks, beach, she is grounding and nurturing) and Water (the currents, the life zones, 70% of Earth’s surface). (See: The Ocean and Me)
When I'm out on my daily long walks during the winter I usually see someone running. My first thought, “Omph, I can’t even…..” My second thought, “Good for them!”My deep winter body cannot begin to imagine running outside. I’m just not wired that way during the deepest of winter. To me, they look like air —free, swift, rushing, wildness — and my earthbound-water-ness just isn’t there for that. I’m glad they are though. Just as the universe needs each element, so does our human community.
From that perspective it makes sense why my connectedness to this amazing planet is so important to me. I recognize myself in her. As she begins to emerge from the deepest part of winter, so too do I.
Outside Feeds My Soul
At the beginning of my teaching career I worked outside as an educator for about five years. Day programs, overnight programs, and extended overnight programs. Living in tents or on boats or houses on islands, sleeping in sleeping bags, rising with the sun, and canoeing or sailing under the stars. In the summer it was the bugs that were intense. From late fall until early spring it was the cold temperatures, ice, and snow. But I loved it. I learned that I could enjoy and thrive in any weather as long as I had great gear. Or as they say in Norway, “There’s no such thing as bad weather, only bad clothes.”
Being outside feeds my soul. I just feel better when I am connected to outside. I enjoy feeling all of the elements around me and on my skin. I enjoy using all of my senses to connect with where I am. I enjoy experiencing the natural rhythms of the local environment.
The added bonus is all of the health and wellness benefits. Vitamin D levels go up. Exercising the way the body is meant to move - gardening, walking, biking. Improved concentration and sleep. Improved immunity.
Here’s how I am using my hand, head, and heart this month.
Here’s how I'm using my hand, head, and heart this month to welcome the awakening and emerging in the Earth and in me after the deepest of winter.
Hand: Seeds.
During January I began dreaming about this year’s vegetable and herb garden. Looking at seed catalogues by the fire is very comforting to me during the dark, cold days of January. Now, that Imbolc has come it is time to take steps towards those garden dreams.
I start seeds indoors about six weeks prior to our last frost date which is around April 6th. (Finding frost dates.) Starting seeds is practical as the seedlings will eventually make it into the garden and raised beds. Starting seeds is more than that though. It’s an act of hope, respect, connection, and meditation.
Starting seeds indoors is another practice that requires me to slow down and pay attention in order for the seeds to do what they need to do. Seeds don’t germinate on my timeline or because I want them to. They have their own timeline and goals. My role is to honor and steward the seeds through their growth so that they achieve success.
Each day I spend quiet time tending to them. I pay attention and look at them with an eye toward curiosity. I notice the soil, how it feels, how it smells; I notice any growth, even as small as it may be; I talk to them and I listen. Its a meditative practice.
The Old Farmer’s Almanac has a useful guide for how and when to start seeds: Starting Seeds Indoors.
Four tips for starting seeds indoors:
Seeds — The most important tip for starting seeds indoors is to purchase high quality seeds that are appropriate for your garden zone. Garden Zones can be identified at the USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map. Three seed companies I have used are:
Seedling tray — I like these galvanized individual-cell seed trays from Gardener’s Supply Company. They are easy to use, leakproof, and easy to move if necessary. For diy ideas check out this post — Ideas for Repurposed Seed Starting Pots —from Jill Winger at the Prairie Homestead.
Water — Seeds and seedlings are fragile. It’s a fine line between too much water and too little water. They should be moist but not soaking. Two methods I like are (1) using a mister and (2) watering from the bottom up. Watering from the bottom up is another reason I like the galvanized individual-cell seed tray mentioned above because I can water the tray, all the way around, without drenching the top of the soil.
Plant labels — There are lots of types of plant labels on the market. For starting seedlings inside, I still like the old fashion popsicle sticks or small post it notes with the name written on it and attach it to each pot.
Head: Outside journal.
Back in the 1990’s I taught Advanced Placement Environmental Science to high school students. The community that our students came from included urban, suburban, and rural areas. It was entirely possible to have students who were afraid to be outside sitting in a learning space with students who only went outside to go to the skatepark or honored the first day of hunting season or worked on the farm and tended the chickens after school.
One of the most important things I wanted them to learn during that course was the beauty of the world and I wanted them to be at ease and curious when outside. We took field trips to barrier islands and marshes, we sampled streams, and we experienced total darkness.
One activity we did throughout the entire academic year was an outside journal. Through this journal I hoped they would begin to see patterns that they may miss in the day to day. Most importantly, I wanted them to see that the “environment” and “nature” were every where and that they were connected to it, even if it didn’t necessarily feel that way. The outside journal was a doorway into that world.
Our process:
The students identified an outside location at their home.
The location had to be safe and easily accessible in all weather.
They had to be able to visit their location at least once a week for the entire academic year.
They had to be able to sit in their location for a minimum of 30-minutes each time they visited.
They were to note the date, time, and weather each time they visited their location.
After that, the only requirement was to notice and wonder, and then document and reflect in their journal. They could use multiple mediums - art, words, samples - to capture their observations, insights, questions, and reflections.
Over the years students have returned and shared with me how much they appreciated that experience. How the outside journal impacted the way they look at the world around them and, surprisingly, how they appreciated the opportunity to slow down, even if for only 30-minutes once a week. These students were so busy with the responsibilities in their daily lives - school, clubs, sports, work, family - that the opportunity to just sit and be was welcome.
This month, I have decided to do this myself. I have an empty journal and I have located a spot that is different from my meditation space (see Sun, Water, Fire) and I am going to approach my outside journal with a beginners mind — very open ended, no expectations, just fresh senses and time to see what the world wants to show me.
Heart: Valentine’s Day.
Living within the seasonal rhythms means there are times when it is necessary for me to create rituals. The ones I create for myself and with my family are the ones that sustain me. They slow me down, remind me return to the breath again and again and again, help me remain healthy and happy, connect me to Earth/Nature and Place/Community. They make the ordinary extraordinary.
In the midst of February comes an opportunity to celebrate love. Not the love in rom-coms (although I am a big fan of cheesy rom-coms). Rather a deep, powerful, sinuous love that activates response. A love that motivates, protects, and begets more love. This love is everywhere, if we choose to see it and nurture it. In the end, this love is what will change our world. Love is all there really is. Love is never wrong.
That’s why I have always struggled with Valentine’s Day. The performative nature of love does not appeal to me. Then, couple that with mass produced cards and chocolate, and an expectation to spend money. I just can’t reconcile all of that with love.
My dear husband had a similar struggle with Valentine’s Day when we met. When the first time Valentine’s Day came around when we were dating I suspect he was quite relieved when I extolled all my thoughts on the subject.
When our kids came along I knew we were going to have to sort it out because their school would have one set of expectations and we would want to make sure that our family set our own tone for the day as well. That required a look into Valentine’s Day.
Valentine’s Day began as an ancient Roman celebration to honor St. Valentine. There are many legends about St. Valentine and why this day of remembrance and celebration is named after him. In fact, there are two different priests by the name of Valentinus, or “Valentine” (derived from the Latin word “Valens,” meaning strong or worthy). They were both executed by Roman emperors on February 14th in different years.
One legend claims that St. Valentine was a priest during third century, CE 270, Rome. During the time Emperor Claudius outlawed marriage for young men. He thought that unmarried men made better soldiers because they had nothing to loose —no wives, no children — so outlawing marriage would leave him with many more young men to serve in his army.
Valentine defied Claudius and continued to preform marriages in secret. When Claudius discovered what Valentine had been doing, he ordered Valentine put to death. The day he was executed, February 14th, became Valentine’s Day.
Valentine’s Day did not become a holiday until the 5th century, when Pope Gelasius I purportedly wanted a holiday to replace the mid-February Roman festival of Lupercalia. Lupercalia was an ancient festival for the Goddess Juno and the God Pan. In spirit, Lupercalia is similar to Imbolc —the awakening of the land and the early signs of spring. Gelasius, in an effort to end such festivities, inaugurated a feast day to commemorate Valentine on the saint’s execution date. February 14th.
Scholars believe it did not become a day to celebrate love until after Geoffrey Chaucer’s poem The Parlement of Foules (1380–90), first connected the day with romance. The earliest love letters referring to St. Valentine’s Day began to appear soon after the poem’s publication in the 14th century.
For our family, Valentine’s Day is a time to celebrate the power of love. To celebrate marriage equality, civil unions, registered partnerships. To appreciate what St. Valentine risked in allowing marriages and encouraging the bonds of love. To celebrate all of the ways love shows up in the world — all the ways love shows up amongst humans, amongst more than humans, and between all in the web of life.
Our day will start with a yummy heart-shaped bundt cake and a cup of Chamomile Tea with Roses and Vanilla.
Heart-nourishing rose is our herb of choice for the day. There will be incense made with lemon balm, lime peel, rose, rosemary, lavender. A rose milk bath will come later in the day. In all likelihood, something with roses will be made in the kitchen. Rose honey, Rose Cordial, Rose Elixir are good options.
This month my hand, head, and heart practices provide an opportunity to welcome the awakening and emerging in the Earth and in me after the deepest of winter. Be sure you are subscribed to A Crunchy Life to receive the monthly newsletter for a deeper dive into this month’s hand, head, and heart practices. There is always one recipe or activity with directions included in each monthly newsletter.
I love the concept of an 'outside journal.' I too find myself awakening in February, it makes complete sense that this would tie in with Imbolc but I had never quite made that link!