In TCM winter is associated with the water element, kidneys and bladder organs, bones and teeth tissues, and fear and fright emotions. Winter is considered a time to rest and a time where the energy of the body descends deeply inside oneself to allow for quiet contemplation.

The traditional calendar follows 24 solar terms so the first day of winter was Nov 8th with solstice marking the half way point. The beginning of yang building within yin symbolized by the light retuning and longer days. The first day of spring is the first new moon of the lunar year which is celebrated as Chinese new year. This year it falls on Feb 12 - just over a month away.

With these last few weeks of winter it is important to rest deeply so that out energy can re-emerge with vitality in spring. This is important for health of our body, mind and spirit. We are ending a rat year and heading into an ox year. Rats are known for being resourceful at storing and gathering. The ox signals a year of hard work ahead. For me this is a reminder of the need to build our individual resources so that in the coming year we can do the “hard work” - processing all that had happened in the rat year (so much!) and moving forward towards the changes that we want and need in our lives, communities and the collective experience.