On the cusp...
Some soothing words as we sit on the cusp of a new season
This Saturday (22nd March) we have our next live Human Design workshop in The Balm Membership. We will be focusing on understanding our profile lines, and how we can embody them and use them to ensure we are staying true to our own life’s path. You can join us in the membership for £8 a month or £65 for a year by upgrading below…
Hello lovely one
How are you feeling today? How is your heart?
I was so touched by the beautiful support that came forward after sharing my little pause moment last week. It is so comforting to know that as a community there is a shared desire to truly honour our natural energy and go against the conventional grain of ‘push, push, push’.
There is often a little bit of fear that our creativity and desire to create might not return if we ‘take time off’ from it — but in my experience that is far from the truth. In fact I would say that every time I have the courage to step back and rest more, then my creativity blooms brighter and deepens another layer.
As I sit and write this note to you, beginning it on Monday as I always do, I feel the gentle fizz of excitement stirring in my belly, and that is always the signal for me that I am exactly where I need to be, following the breadcrumbs that my heart is leading me towards.
This week I felt called to share some seasonal reflections and poetry to mark the change of seasons. Tomorrow (Thursday March 20th) the seasons turn and Spring (in the northern hemisphere anyway) is officially upon us. I have to say that today my finger tips and cheeks would like to argue that point as the wind was biting and we had a frost, but nature is certainly showing signs of emergence.
Oh hello Spring… we have been waiting for you
The paths along my daily walks are starting to turn lush green and are peppered with colour. Bright yellow Celandine and lush pastel Primroses (and the occasional pink one which feels like such a little sweet treat) burst from the ground in unexpected places, the beautiful white star shaped wood anenomes create little carpets at the foot of some of the trees — a sure sign of faires don’t you think? The unmistakable green shoots that will soon be carpets of bluebells are blanketing the woodland near my home and the smell of wild garlic is gently greeting my nostrils as I walk along the river banks.
Spring is a season I long for, and yet I also find this transition from winter to spring the hardest of all in my system.
I have had many conversations with my dear friend
who talks about ‘winterspring’ (she wrote about it here last year and it is so beautifully described) and she reminds me of the huge amount of energy that is needed to shift from the dormancy of cocooning in our dark habitats to a fuller more emerging energy back in the wide world.This environmental season also meets my continual inner season of winterspring which I think describes the early years of Motherhood so perfectly.
One foot in, one foot out - I feel like I emerge into a gentler more energising phase and then get pulled back into the shadows once more. Perhaps it will always be this way?
Over the past few years I have deepened my awareness of how I process these transitions, and so I feel more able to support myself through the emergence into a new season now.
For me it is all about not going too quickly and getting swept up by outside energy. It is remembering to pro-actively rest rather than waiting until depletion hits to react to that. It is even simple daily practical things like making sure I have sunglasses to hand because my light sensitivity seems to be more prevalent in this early part of the season.
Honouring the changes
Something does feel different this year though, as I emerge out of the second year postpartum with my youngest (and last) child, there is a slightly steadier sense under my feet. It feels like the gentle emergence that comes this time will have a little more longevity to it.
Three years ago, at this time, when my eldest was a similar age we were considering whether to have a second baby, and I knew that if that happened I would be thrown back into a deep, deep winter once more. It meant that the emerging into Spring was a lot more tenative, while this time it feels like a more grounded rebirthing.
I say that in a gentle whisper because of course who knows what life will throw at us (and we are in Eclipse season so expecting the unexpected is part of the course) but overall I feel a lot of hope, a lot of excitement, and a lot more energy than I have done as we have crossed the past few winterspring thresholds.
To me, this seasonal change is a time to nourish and nurture all that has already been laid in the ground. Ideas that have been percolating in the darkness of winter (the winter that we have just traveled through and the inner winter that feels as though it has been going on for several years) and an opportunity to glance at possibility, connect with hope and take some steadier steps forward towards some of the things that have been calling to me.
How to honour seasonal changes?
I am all about simple ritual, something that slots into my day easily. I left behind many of the big extravagant ceremonies when I became a Mother — partly because I was often short on time and space, but also because I actually love to weave these things into my day and see all of life as ceremony and the bigger more dramatic experiences just don’t suit my system.
For me, these are some of my favourite ways to honour change at this time of year as we cross into Spring (and most can be done with little ones with you too!)…
(I appreciate that for some of you on the other side of the world there you will be stepping into Autumn… but many of these are still very relevant for that threshold too)
Barefoot walking on the earth. Nothing beats it!
Taking a warm drink (obviously I favour a cup of cacao but this could be anything that feels a little bit special to you — even just drinking from your favourite mug can bring a little extra magic) and sipping it slowly outside in the (hopeful) sunshine.
Simply noticing the warmth of the sun on your face for a few moments.
Pulling an Oracle card for the season ahead.
Setting an intention for how you would like to feel in this coming period of time between now and the next turning of the season.
Choosing a word (or a few words) that will anchor you as you travel this path ahead.
Opening the windows in your home to let new fresh air circulate.
Resting into your power using a practice that grounds you in your body such as Yoga Nidra or another favourite meditation (here is a free one from my library)
Walking, or getting outside (or opening a window at the very least) at sunrise or sunset to honour the light returning.
Adorning your home with seasonal flowers. Daffodils and tulips are my favourite and low cost option from the shops right now or I have been picking a few primroses from my garden and floating them in some water, which the girls love!
Energising your body with a gently revitalizing yoga practice. I love to drop into more twists and side opening postures, alongside lots of circling in my body to release stagnant energy at this time of year.
Listening to uplifting playlists as you go about your day.
What would you add to this list? How do you honour the change in seasons?
Read and listen
To close this piece of writing I would love to share a new poem with you that is inspired by nature’s gentle opening. You can read it, or take a mindful few moments to listen through the audio below.
A pop of gold
a droplet of white
these splashes of colour
come in to sight
and bring with them
a prayer of hope
a promise of brightness
from mythical folk.A dash of purple
a twinkle of violet
waking from slumber
whispering ‘is it time yet?’
to turn faces up
and let hearts unfurl
the seasons now turning
new tales to tell.The winter slips under
it’s blanket once more
birthing new cycles
new terrains to explore.The softest pale yellows
lit up by warm sun
lushness returning
the Earth starts to hum.Petal by petal
the flowers reborn
transformed by the darkness
weathered through storms.Reflections of nature
our rhythms unfold
a time for sweet blossoming
and new stories to be told
wishes rekindled
a spark re-ignites
the blessings of spring
the return of the light.When the light returns - by Lauren Barber
I would love to know how you are feeling as we shift seasons… what is emerging in your heart and soul? What hope is rekindling within you? What is your prayer for the season ahead?
Until next time
With so much love and gratitude
Lauren
xxx
Coming up in The Balm Membership over the coming weeks…
⋙ Engaging with the world - looking into the profile lines
Saturday 22nd March, 9am UK Time
Understand the way you are designed to connect and relate to others and follow your life’s path and purpose through the powerful learnings from your Human Design profile lines. A live workshop that will be recorded and shared in the Members space.
⋙ The Restoration Session - Supporting and Seeding
Saturday 29th March, 11am UK Time
Bring a sense of restoration to your entire being as we devote 60 nourishing minutes to supporting your physical and emotional wellbeing through space, movement, Yoga Nidra and journaling.
⋙ The Heart Work Coaching Circle - NEW OFFERING
Wednesday 2nd April, 1pm UK Time
An open circle space where kindred hearts can come together and receive coaching and guidance on anything that is surfacing within your heart work journey. Bring any aspects of your sacred business or creative offerings to the space and receive insight and support.
Join The Balm now to get access to all of these and the entire back library of resources.
Hello to anyone who is new here… I am Lauren. A Mother of two daughters, Writer, Women’s Circle Facilitator, Sacred Business Mentor & Guide, Soul Branding & Website Creator and multi-dimensional human being. I walk with, and hold space for, others who are treading the tender path of their heart and soul work. You can find out more about this space and what to expect here. If you wish to be held in a deeper way do consider joining The Balm membership for restorative practices, sacred heart work offerings and more…
If you enjoyed this piece and wish to explore my other spaces please use the links below to explore…
Motherhood Essays
Self-Tending Practices
The Unravelling Podcast
Human Design
Work With Me
Loved your poem and pictures! For me too the seasonal change this year really feels like "a time to nourish and nurture all that has already been laid in the ground." There’s something different, I feel it in my body. Now it’s time to listen more intently, and that’s why I feel the need for even more grounding practices and time out by myself.
Loved this reflection and the poem. Also the concept of winterspring and going to get the book about 72 seasons as I think you can feel those smaller shifts. ❤️