“The three months of winter, they denote securing and storing. The water is frozen and the earth breaks open … Go to rest early and rise late. You must wait for the sun to shine. … Avoid cold and seek warmth”. The Yellow Emperor’s Inner Classic, compiled between 100 BCE and 100 CE
Here in the Northern hemisphere, today is the winter solstice – the shortest day when yin reaches its maximum point. From now on, yang starts to grow – a glimmer at first but before too long the days begin to lengthen and we dare to think about spring and all the joys it brings.
It is traditionally a time to rest, sleep more, protect ourselves from the cold, to celebrate with family and friends and build and nourish strength for the cold months still to come.
And as always, it’s a time to practise qigong, bundling ourselves up in warm clothes if we have outside space, connecting to nature and the turning of the year.
With warm wishes for the winter solstice,
Peter
