Jan. 05, 2025 - Small Cold

Yesterday was the start of a new 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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The coldest days come now.

The final two Nodes before spring are called “Small Cold” and “Great Cold.” We started the former yesterday.

For the next thirty days, Old Winter will remind us he's still in power.

The only responsible thing to do (for now) is to continue to keep warm and follow the rules.

However...

Beneath his ice...

Protected from his wind and his cold...

In a place where he probably can't see and definitely can't reach...

A flame that ignited two weeks ago continues to grow.

She will eventually bring him to heel. It has always been that way.

I hold that secret deep in my heart as I walk around these (final) days of ice.