“To everything, there is a season, and a time for every purpose under heaven.”
~~ Ecclesiastes 3:1
Greetings to all my precious people!!
It is the sacred time—the end of one year and the beginning of another. The ancient cycle of birth, death, and rebirth is on display with all the beauty Nature can highlight, and we are reminded that indeed, to everything, there is a season.
During this time of Wintering and Sanctuary, remember to honor your own needs and surround yourself with people of your own choosing. When you are aligned with your inner wisdom, your vibration will attract those who need to connect. Be yourself!! Fill your precious time with those who can support your inner spark and encourage your unique gifts.
The lunar cycles will be supportive!! On December 24, Jupiter and Saturn remind us to make peace with old issues and engage our emotional intelligence. With the support of the Scorpio moon on December 25, compassion and kindness are the magical ingredients to encourage empathy, build rapport and create the bridges to repair relationships. The New Moon on December 30 will allow space for your personal power to take root in your own truth, and a sense of deep trusting and spirit connectedness will set the tone for the new year emerging.
Pay special attention to coincidences that have personal meaning for you during this sacred transition cycle. Take notice of when the outer world meets your inner symbolic reality, and sense how your soul relentlessly pulls you toward wholeness. Signs, symptoms, and sensitivities will be your guideposts. Be brave! Be bold! You were meant for these times.
These recent words from Parker Palmer resonated with me this week and I hope they spark something for you as well. Parker is an American writer, speaker, educator, and activist, and the founder of The Center for Courage and Renewal.
As we come to the end of 2024, it’s hard to imagine how love can win the day. As always, the answer depends on how many of us are willing to bear witness to what is right, good and true—which we will not do as long as we are silenced by the fear that keeps us from following the lead of our better angels.
Here the Christmas story has a pointed word for us, a word from those angels: “Be not afraid.” Those words do not say, “HAVE no fear.” Instead, they say we don’t need to BE our fear. The inner landscapes of our lives offer many places to stand—alongside fear, there are places with names like compassion, trust, faith, and a devotion to truth. By choosing to stand in one of those places when we speak and act, it’s possible to BE something better than our fear. We can be the light of love, light that illumines, warms and transforms our lives.
The Christmas story reminds me of a simple fact that transcends traditions and creeds: each of us has a chance to live as a light in the darkness, right here, right now. Standing alone, my little light makes a difference only to me and the handful of folks my life touches. Multiply it by the millions who are determined to take back the night, and we can write a new story for our time. It’s been done before, and it can be done again.
Yirah is a profound Hebrew term that embodies a sense of awe, reverence, and deep connection to life itself. More than just fear or dread, as it is sometimes translated, Yirah conveys the deep, almost overwhelming awareness of the sacredness and vastness of existence. It is the sensation that arises when we encounter the grandeur of nature, the complexity of human connection, or the mysterious beauty of the unknown.
Rooted in humility, Yirah invites us to approach life with a sense of respect and honor for all that is beyond our understanding. It challenges us to open our hearts to the extraordinary in the ordinary and to recognize the interconnectedness of all things. In this state of reverence, we find not only our place in the world but also the courage and gratitude to live more fully.
In the context of Chinese Medicine and Daoist philosophy, this idea resonates powerfully with the principles of harmony, interconnectedness, and the sacred flow of Qi (life energy) that permeates all living things.
Yirah reflects the recognition of the Dao—“the way” or “path of the universe”—and invites us to align ourselves with its natural rhythms. Just as Daoist teachings emphasize living in harmony with nature and the cycles of life, Yirah encourages a humble awareness of our place within a vast, interconnected web of existence.
In Chinese Medicine, health is seen as a dynamic balance between Yin and Yang, the Five Elements, and the movement of Qi. Yirah, as a state of reverence and awe, nurtures this balance by grounding us in gratitude and presence. It aligns the Shen (spirit) with the greater cosmos, fostering emotional and spiritual well-being.
Through the lens of Yirah, we are reminded to approach life with humility, curiosity, and wonder, acknowledging the sacred energy that animates all things. Whether marveling at the intricacy of the human body, the cycles of nature, or the Dao itself, Yirah invites us to honor the mystery of Life and live in alignment with its flow.
As the year draws to a close, we are presented with a unique opportunity to embody Yirah. This time of transition is sacred, much like the Daoist understanding of the cycles of nature, where endings and beginnings are not separate but part of the same continuous flow.
The end of the year is a time to pause and honor the journey we have been on. Just as winter invites rest and introspection, Yirah calls us to stand in awe of what has unfolded. As we step into a new year, Yirah invites us to embrace beginnings with humility and openness. The Daoist principle of Wu Wei (effortless action) reminds us to move with the natural flow rather than force outcomes. This approach can inspire a grounded yet intentional start to the year. Together, these ideas encourage a mindful and reverent approach to new beginnings:
- Gratitude as Sacred Recognition: Take time to reflect on the blessings of the past year. What experiences filled you with a sense of wonder or taught you valuable lessons? Write them down or meditate on them, allowing the spirit of Yirah to fill your heart with gratitude and humility.
- Releasing What No Longer Serves: Just as leaves fall from trees to nourish the earth, we are invited to release old patterns, regrets, or fears. Engage in a symbolic practice, such as writing what you wish to release on paper and burning it, transforming it into energy for renewal.
- Setting Intentions with Awe: Instead of rigid resolutions, allow yourself to be guided by a question: How can I live in harmony with the sacred flow of Life? Set intentions rooted in reverence for the interconnectedness of all things.
- Practices of Presence: Create daily rituals to nurture a sense of awe. This might include mindful breathing, observing the changing patterns in nature, or meditating on the word Yirah, contemplating the profound connection to the mysteries of Life.
- Sacred Reflection Space: Dedicate time to create a quiet, intentional environment for reflection. Light a candle, use calming scents, or sip tea as you connect with the sacredness of the moment.
- Aligning with the Five Elements: In Chinese Medicine, the Winter season is governed by the Water element, and encourages stillness and deep listening. How can you replenish your reserves and connect with your inner wisdom? Winter represents introspection and renewal. Honor this energy by slowing down, journaling, or meditating to connect with your inner depths.
- Reverence in Relationships: Yirah reminds us of the sacredness in our connections. Share your reflections and intentions with loved ones to strengthen bonds and celebrate life’s interconnected web. Like the Dao, which recognizes the interconnectedness of all things, Yirah reminds us to cherish and nurture relationships.
As we honor this transition, allow Yirah to guide us in the mystery of endings and beginnings. May we embrace the eternal wisdom of the Dao, welcome the balance and flow of Wu Wei and trust in the sacred rhythm and cycles of Life that surround and connect all of us.
Acupuncture and herbal medicine are some of the tools I use to support the health and wellness of my patients, but the healing that occurs is always prompted from the inside. The answers to health and wellness reside in your heart. Treatment in my healing sanctuary goes beyond the needles—they simply serve to prompt the body to do its own mysterious and miraculous work.
I help people learn how to listen to their body’s wisdom and reconnect the unconscious mind to nurture the mind-body connection. This work allows people to realize their full capacity and choose to live a life aligned with their values, nourished by their dreams and desires. Together, we co-create opportunities for healing as the process unfolds.
I offer compassionate, attentive care. I see you. I hear you. I celebrate your journey. As an experienced clinician, I support patients as they come home to themselves, reconnecting the mind, body and spirit. This is my greatest passion: to serve as a facilitator, navigator and coach as you transcend old patterns and come into alignment with your best self. Are you ready to choose your Self and celebrate your gifts? Are you ready to manifest your Authentic Self that is abundant with health and vitality? Commit to being present and living your life with intention. Schedule your consultation today!
