Metal to Water - Shifting Seasons and the Winter Solstice

Here we find ourselves at a time of transition, perched upon a threshold between seasons, cycles and elements. The ancient Daoists carefully mapped these changes and left us a legacy of deep wisdom and understanding which still serves us to this day.

We are nigh on the Winter Solstice, and this is the time of transition between the Metal Element of Fall and the Water Element of Winter. This is part of a generative cycle of Qi, as one season feeds and nourishes the next. The ancients noticed that when a metal bowl was placed in the earth overnight, water would condense and gather inside.. and thusly the contracting, consolidating Qi of Metal generates the deep sinking and gathering of Water Qi.

This is a perfect time to bring an honoring of the Metal Qi in our lives to prepare for the Water of Winter ahead.

Metal is all about what we value, appreciate and hold precious.. both in ourselves, our relations and our belongings. Its nature of movement is contracting and falling.. just as the leaves fall from the trees, the temperature drops and the angle of the sun descends in the Autumn. The associated internal organs are the Lungs and Large Intestine, where we see the release of each breath and the unnecessary waste from what we have consumed.

Just as a metal knife cuts away what is not necessary, the Autumn is a time of consolidation and letting go. We need to release what is no longer important so we can return to our Essence and create space for the growth and expansion of the next cycle. We see the plants whither and shrivel, leaves falling to the earth (Metal). What’s left are the seeds of essence and potential (Water), which will sprout and expand again in the Springtime (Wood). We need this cutting back and letting go in order to create conditions for healthy growth.

The emotional resonance associated with this time of Metal and Fall is grief and sadness. There is a quality to Autumn of descent, decay and loss. It asks of us to shed attachments to what once was.. the sweetness of Summer sunshine and its delicious fruits and flowers, so that we may truly appreciate these gifts. For what lies on the other side of grief is naught but Gratitude.

We can only grieve those things, people and places that we value. Behind the sadness of loss is a deep and powerful Gratitude for what we hold precious. This time of shedding asks us to tune in with what we truly appreciate and consider valuable.. and to feel the utmost Gratitude for all of it. To allow the feelings of grief and sadness to wash over and through us, cleansing away attachments and sitting with the inner treasures of love, connection and the priceless value of our True Nature.

As we move toward the Winter Solstice, Nature asks us to enter a time of deep reflection, renewal, and rest. This time of deepest darkness is the nadir of Yin Qi in the cycle of the seasons, seeking stillness and introspection. Yet modern life, in all of its artificially illuminated glory, actually picks up the pace in this time of holy daze. Rather than gather and rest deeper into ourselves, we are culturally drawn into the expectations of holiday parties, celebrations and an orgy of consumerism.. taking on more stuff rather than letting go of what no longer serves.

There are many ways that modern Western culture asks us to act antithetically to what our bodies and the wisdom of Nature present as harmonious attunement to the cycles of Life. What we can do is intentionally create space amidst the bustle and madness to honor these deeper needs still present within us.

This is a perfect time for clearing clutter from our lives. Cleaning our homes (closets and attics and out-of-sight spaces included!) is a great place to start. Cleansing our bodies through a short fast or intentional diet is another way to make space. Meditation and introspection create space to see through the clutter of the mind into the precious essence at our core.. making clear the enormous value of our True Nature. Remembering that we don’t just HAVE value.. at the very center of our Being, we ARE value.

In creating this space in our surroundings, we are then confronted with what we might fill it with. One wonderful idea is to create an altar (assuming you don’t already have one or many). This is a space to honor the Metal qualities of reverence, respect and ritual.. to acknowledge the preciousness of our essence and to tune in with the value of the eternal moment we call Now. Altars are places where we can connect with our Highest Selves and cultivate greater Gratitude through offerings and presence.. as well as honor and acknowledge those people we have lost.

Meditation and contemplation are very Metal activities, and whether on a walk through the leafless trees contemplating the Autumn wind, rain or snow, or sitting inside, cozy and candlelit.. this is important time for our souls. As we move towards the depths of Winter, with Yin in its fullness and Yang beginning to grow once again, we can look forward to longer days and more light.

Wherever you find yourself at this turning point of Seasons and cycles, I hope you have the resources, tools and connections to stay balanced and healthy. At Shentara, we’re dedicated to helping empower your health and wellness through movement and energy arts, embodied Daoist wisdom and ceremonies to promote healing and connection.

We will have a Church of Qi Winter Solstice Healing Ceremony with Qigong, Sound Healing and optional Daoist Meridian Therapeutics (which includes acupuncture needles) on December 21st from 2-5pm at the Fairfax Community Church in Fairfax, California. We would love to welcome you into the space to co-create a collective field of healing in this time of deepest darkness as we prepare to emerge into the light.

Please reach out with any questions, we’re always glad to hear from you!