There is Light and Shadow in All Cycles of Life
The beauty of a rose includes both the petals and the thorns. There is light and shadow in all things, in every person, in every situation, and in every cycle of life. Mother Nature teaches us this lesson if we can listen.
There is beauty in the silent still quality of Winter, where all that is not needed has been released. Old leaves have been dropped creating space for a drawing in of energy; a silent self-reflective stillness in all of Nature. A certain death it seems, but not quite. It is more a reparative and preparative hibernation. Nothing is wasted; only stilled. Looking closely, there is new life brewing. That which has been released fertilizes the physical and soulful soils that will produce new life. A time of slow moments, darkness, and a chilling of the soul. What beauty there is in silent renewal. Rest, repair, and healing; all requiring darkness. It is a pensive gathering of inner resources and strength. All of Nature is vibrating in silent anticipation for the first warming breezes of Spring. It is the wisdom of hope and trust; never forcing or rushing, but simply knowing that the rebirth of Spring is assured.
And so it is. It’s almost unnoticed in its slow and steady way until it appears. A first little bud of new life, as if by Magic. But it IS Magic and all of Nature knows this. How often we forget. Remembrance comes in its own way and in its own time ignited by the first playful squirrel, the first set of eggs nurtured so kindly by watchful mother Cardinal, and the first renewal of Spring rains. How beautiful it unfolds; always changing, growing, and expanding. Beautiful shades of wildflowers reflecting the promise of Spring rainbows. Movement speeds up taking full advantage of this opportune time. Seeds of potential sprouting forward toward their destiny of abundance. A most beautiful time: a birthing of all that lay silent in the death of Winter.
All is perfect; courageous knowing. Darkness receding and light ascending fueled by the fire of transformation and transmutation. The busy caterpillar knows that wings are assured and so it is. The nourishment of rain handing over time to the bounty produced by the warmth of the summer sun. All of Creation celebrates. Children know this wisdom well; sun-tanned cheeks and dirty bare feet leaving wise tracks of wisdom long forgotten by many. It is the harvesting of all that lay dormant in Winter’s Earth. Bounty overflows from seeds of intention planted in cool dark soil. Soulful bounty gathered from the wise lessons of life and then slowing and surrendering to the first chill of Autumn air. Nature exhales to release, yawning in preparation for rest. Squirrels gather, vines recoil, and leaves flutter back to Winter’s Earth.
And so it is with all life; beautifully spiraling to the next cycle of birth, life, death, and rebirth. Order in chaos. Creation and destruction; grounding, purifying, transforming, and surrendering. Beginnings and endings; the perfection of ALL.
Photo by Chris Lawton on Unsplash