Dec. 21, 2024 - Winter Solstice

Tomorrow is the start of the next Seasonal Node. Each of the four seasons can be broken down into six smaller segments, called "Seasonal Nodes" (or "Solar Terms"), which come with specific instructions about what to do (and what not to do) to stay healthy and happy and harmonized with the natural world (which is really the same thing).

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Tonight, summer is born.

Before you throw off your coat and grab your bathing suit, you should know that all the rules of the previous node, Great Snow, still apply.

Tonight is the longest night of the year, and you should stay warm and tucked away.

But it is always from the darkness that light emerges. Tonight, a flicker appears that will eventually become the towering blaze of summer.

As usual, it is our job - if we wish to be healthy, happy, and impactful humans (I do) - to mirror what's happening in Nature with our own behavior.

So for the next 15 days of winter, keep to stillness (hide, rest, and conserve energy). But also add a tiny morsel (just a seedling) of activity into your daily routine to reflect the beginnings of summer.

Gentle yoga, Tai Chi, and slow walks are perfect. Don't break a sweat!

Food wise, add a small amount of mildly acrid foods (scallions, fresh ginger, black pepper) into your meals as the acrid flavor promotes internal movement of Qi and blood.

Eat light meals. Summer is just beginning to dance. Give it space.

Thank you Henry McCann for curating some of this info.