This post is the first of a five-week Winter Dreaming series of newsletters I invited you to this week. To see the invitation again, please click here. Also, if you wish to join our Winter Dreaming community on Discord, the link is https://discord.gg/Zd97ySDU. It would be lovely to share this exploration with you in a community space.
Winter is such a beautiful time of year. I hope the journey over the next few weeks brings you joy and fuels your optimism for the future.
Why Winter Listening?
In winter, Mother Earth takes the opportunity to rest, restore, and replenish herself. She does this to be ready to move forward with renewed vigor come Springtime. So, as the fullness of the year comes to completion, we, too, need the space and the time to be still and go inwards. We need to revitalise ourselves, ready for the adventures of a New Year.
And yet, how do we do this when so much busyness arises from the holiday season? It is delightfully easy to get swept up in it all and not feel there is any space for us to relax into the quietness of this season. As a result, we can lose track of the need to respect our inner seasonal cycle.
However, you do not have to be either busy or quiet. It is possible to craft a marriage of slowing down and enjoying the Festive season. To achieve this marriage is where the idea of Winter Listening comes into its own.
This type of listening is a contemplative practice and comes from the ground of expanded perceptive stillness. It is about being in the present moment and having a conscious appreciation of all that is within that moment. We become an observer who is grateful for all that we are and have in our lives.
From that awakening to the present moment, a space within us opens to realms beyond our everyday experience. When we maintain this inner stillness, then images, insights, information, and inspiration can flow into our awareness. It is pretty magical how this happens.
The Power of Questions
As we begin our Winter Dreaming time, it felt right to craft an overarching question that will guide us over the next five weeks and beyond. My Earth Wisdom teachers, RainbowHawk and WindEagle, would say;
‘The first people had questions, and they were free’
‘The second people had answers, and they became enslaved’
They often offered statements like this to get our attention and shift us out of what they called ‘ordinary’ mind. And so, this week, we are seeking out no ordinary question. It is really what I like to call a ’Soul Question’ that we are looking for. One that opens a portal to allow our Soul to whisper to us. In this inner space, we are calling into our awareness what our Soul wishes to convey to us for this time of Dreaming.
Crafting the Question
One of the Earth Wisdom ways to craft a question is to start it with the phrase ‘what is needed.’ When you put these words at the beginning, they signal openness to receive as well as a heartfelt intention to respond to the guidance coming.
Being in nature is a great way to find your question, but it is not the only way. You can sit quietly and meditate. You can even just say to yourself, ‘I am seeking a question,’ and then wait and see what comes to you.
Here is how I found my Winter Dreaming question for this year. I hope it helps you with your questing.
I went out for a walk along the beach last Sunday. I swung my arms, sang a song into the wind, and laughed out loud as the wind drowned out my singing. I made puddles in the sand and danced a little on the edge of the water. It was fun.
I didn't try to think about the question. I just let ideas come in and out, almost like bubbles of air. I simply considered what was important to me at this time of my life and let go of any interpretations. I was out for a couple of hours, and then the question just popped out.
What is needed for me to thoroughly enjoy this time of elderhood?
The question felt right.
I tested the words. Did I need the word 'thoroughly'?
I did. I saw that I want to have that sense of utter fulfillment that comes from thoroughly enjoying myself.
And so, I have my question. I feel an inner smile as I play with my question's different complexions and territories. I just need to open my heart and let my Soul whisper to me now. I remind myself periodically that I have this question. I am so looking forward to what unfolds.
Holding the Question
A way to enhance our inner listening is a practice called ‘holding the question.’ To do this, we open an imaginary container (a bowl, a basket, a plate, an altar) where we gather all the insights we receive. Then, we hold the responses there and let them percolate for a while. Some people like to make notes in a journal that they will look at later. Other people just trust that they will remember when the time is right. Whatever works for you is just fine. Stay expanded and open to letting the responses arrive in your beautiful container:)
And so, this is my offering for this week.
I wish you well on your adventure to find your Soul Question.
As always, I would love to hear from you.
Ann
If you would like to join our Winter Dreaming community, here is the link to the Discord space https://discord.gg/DmpcTqxY Simply click on this link and follow the onscreen guidance. It is pretty easy to sign up. When it says ‘already got a link,’ click this and add the link above. If you need help getting in, please contact me using the button below.
So glad to join you in this journey again
Thank you for this Ann.
I wish i had read this on Friday as I try to do because i really needed this wonderful prompting from you yesterday.
I love this concept of Winter listening - it reminds me of "constant remembrance" of the meditative condition in Heartfulness..
So my intention for my next inner journey, which btw came very quickly after reading your post, is "Please show me what is needed to be in service in an enjoyable, delightful and effortless way".
I will let you know how I get on.
Much love
Mark