02.26.07
Posted in Nature, Seasons at 2:25 am by Ric
After a few days of March like weather and an almost total melt off of the snow accumulated through February, winter returned with snow, wind, and colder tempratures. With the ground being as warm as it was and the forecasts of above freezing temp after today, I doubt this snow will last long. Which brings me back to a topic I can’t get off my mind, Early Signs Of Spring.
A annual event of nature is about to happen, as it does every year around this time, and it will likely be missed by most people. One of the first flowering plants to bloom in the Omaha area is the widespread Silver Maple tree. You may not have noticed this tree even bears flowers. Silver Maple flowers don’t have petals like those of say an apple tree. They are tiny wind pollinated flowers that don’t demand your attention. For more information on Silver Maples including pictures of the male and female flower go here.
All winter long the the flowers buds (see below) have been visable, ready to burst forth with growth when the time is right. That time can be as early as the end of February but is more likely within the first 10-14 days of March. The timing is based to some degree on moisture and temprature but more than anything the level of sunlight is the trigger. This blooming of flowers will take place whether it’s warm or there is snow on the ground just as it does every year. One reason this natural event is missed is because we aren’t looking for it and we tend not to look up this time of year, at least not with scrutiny. The next time you are out look for trees with fairly large, round clusters of buds and keep an eye on them during the early part of March.
Why is this important? Because when we notice the change going on around us it helps us to focus on the changes taking place in our bodys, our moods, and our spirit. We are a part of nature. The more we realize this the easier it is to make the huge transitions that season change represents.
We could have snow through much, or all, of March. But that does not mean Spring will not happen all around us. Cast your attention to all around you and realize your place in all this.
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02.15.07
Posted in Nature, Seasons at 11:10 pm by Ric
The temperature was right around zero when I got up this morning. We definitely are experiencing winter lately. But there are signs of spring already.
Winter is known for it’s shorter days. For some mood is effected by a lack of sunlight. What many people don’t realize is that the first day of winter, the Winter Solstice, which occurred December 21st, is the point in time when day and night are of equal length. It’s the turning point when days start getting longer. How can that be when we have all the cold months of winter ahead of us? The reason is the oceans, which play a big role in our weather. It takes them time to catch up temperature wise.
Now in mid February if you look outside later in the day you will notice it stays light longer than in recent weeks.
Another sign of spring can be seen in the animal world.
The Northern Cardinal is a common bird around the midwest that is non-migratory. If you have bird feeders chances are you see them regularly through the winter. One thing to look for is premating behavior. The male and female Cardinal stay mated for life and usually stay within a small territory their whole life. During a good part of winter they stay apart. The male may chase the female from the feeder or other food sources. But in later winter this starts to change. If you watch your feeder you may witness a ritual. The male will pick a seed from the feeder and feed it to the female.
Another welcome change is bird song. The male Cardinal often starts their spring bird song very early. To hear an example of the Cardinals song visit this page.
I’ve heard them singing as early as mid December some years. This winter I first heard him the last week of January. I didn’t hear it again until yesterday when it was near zero! I like to think that the Cardinal is excited at the prospect of spring and can’t wait to sing.
Even though it’s cold outside if I close my eyes and listen to a Cardinal singing it feels like spring.
It may feel like Spring is way off in the future but if you look around you can see the transition has already started. To me that feels like hope!
What have you been seeing and hearing?
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Posted in Nature, TCM at 12:29 pm by Ric
In writing articles I often make reference to Tradition Chinese Medicine (TCM). In my practice the forms of bodywork employed are not inherently a part of TCM so why the frequent references to it? The main reason is that I’ve found TCM to be a great system for describing the interactive processes that are fundemental to the cycles of nature and to all life. It helps us to see the relationships between ourselves and the natural world.
The processes or cycles are represented by the Five Elements (Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal, Water). Each element has many correspondances, to specific organs of the body, to a specific function of the body, to a season, to an emotion, and so on.
Each element or process acts upon another. Each organ has a relationship to another organ. Each season leads to another. An interdependency is created where everything in the natural world, of which we are a part, is related to something else, controlling and being controled by, striving for a state of balance.
Another concept of TCM, perhaps more familiar, is that of the Yin and the Yang. Most people are familiar with the concept of duality or complimentary opposites. For more about Yin and Yang visit this page.
Focusing on all this brings us back to something we tend to forget in our modern world, the powerful influnce that these natural processes, represented by the changing seasons, have on our bodies, our emotions, or spirits, on our lives. Being in balance with nature can bring balance to our lives. This starts with just looking around us. Just noticing.
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02.14.07
Posted in News at 4:37 am by Ric
This is my brand new weblog. I plan on using it to communicate a variety of information:
- Wellness topics. Things you can use and things to think about.
- A diary of thoughts on nature through the seasons and it’s impact on our bodies and our lives.
- News about services at The Healing Connection.
My main mission with this weblog is to increase your awareness of yourself and your surroundings. It is through awareness that healing happens.
Check back often as new information is posted.
Feel free to add your comments to any post.
Peace and joy to you!
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