Let it Snow, Let it Snow, Let it Snow

Today on the morning of the Solstice, I sit in my office keeping my eye on a snowstorm. I have been looking forward to this storm for the last three or four days. Ever since I heard about it coming from the Dakotas, I’ve been in high anticipation of its arrival. You can accurately surmise I’m not the one out there shoveling and I’m not trying to drive to some distant parts. I’m the one sitting in my office looking out the window and blissfully counting the inches that have dropped thus far.

Last night I made a grocery run to stock up on food---hoping we’ll be snowed in for at least two days if not more. I even made sure our cats had emergency back-up supplies. It seems odd I’d be so enthusiastic about having to be house-bound. I typically find a situation like this confining and irritating. However, my theory is that for this brief time, corresponding with the Solstice in a synchronistic way, I have unconsciously aligned myself with the flow of nature.


The Chinese use the language of the 5 Elements to describe, well, everything—directions, process, land formations, medical analysis, tai qi, and even the seasons. These phases are described in simple terms (Fire, Earth, Metal, Water, Wood), but have deep and nuanced meanings. Currently we are in the midst of the Water phase, the Solstice signifying the exact mid-point. During Water time, nature stops expressing itself outwardly but instead takes this opportunity to re-group, re-calibrate until it’s time to appear again. It is intended to be a quiet time where we would appropriately hibernate, as nature does.

As a culture, we have evolved this time into a frenzied and aggravating spell. The holidays require people to go out, put forth money they may not have, over-book their schedules, attend boisterous gatherings, eat too much, drink too much; for most people the holidays are anything but thoughtful. Perhaps I have a need to be part of the Water energy this year when things slow down and there’s less activity. Perhaps I have felt an unspoken entrainment with nature, an alignment that just feels good for me right now. I can use the storm as my legitimate excuse to stay home and slow down—to hibernate. Whatever it is, I want it to last as long as possible----long after the snow has stopped.