I remember the day I realised the transformative power of nature and learned to respond to her subtle signals. I was 19 and on a camping trip with a boyfriend in Wales. We camped by the river below an enchanting waterfall called Pistyll Rhaeadr, meaning “Spring of the Waterfall.”  Her silvery waters dash down an impressive 80m. Pausing halfway to swirl in a rock-pool with a giant hole through which she continues her descent. A breathtaking sight. 

I love camping but I this particular morning I wake up early and in a foul mood. A pre-menstrual soup of difficult emotions whirling around and my nervous system all awry. The sound of the falls is a welcoming distraction from my inner discomfort as I wriggle out of my sleeping bag and dress quickly, careful not to wake my boyfriend. 

The moment my gaze meets the falls, I’m hypnotised. Drawn into her world, under her spell, I feel called to get closer and begin climbing up her rockface. I make my way up grasping at the foliage and find a perfect resting place beside the upper pool. As I look up at her magnificent cascade, tiny droplets kiss my face and I close my eyes. The rushing water and fresh mountain air take me into a timeless space where all my discomfort slips away with ease. I discover an inner peace that I’ve never experienced before. My heavy emotions washed away and I floated down from the ledge feeling like I’d grown fairy wings.

26 years have passed and my intimate relationship with nature continues to bring me back to my balance point, no matter how dark the world gets. Connecting my human experience with the elements and seasons of sun, moon and womb, reminds me how I am woven into the fabric of something far greater. A place where you, I and all things great and small meet in the dance of life. A beautiful, ever-changing world where we are continually restored, supported and held through the seasons of our evolution.

Welcoming the pulse of life to merge with our being-ness in this sensory way is wonderful medicine during stressful times. We can find inner peace and the presence of love to hold us. A bond that we can rely on and come back to, whenever we need to find our balance point.

The magic in the transition from Winter into Spring, (in the year, the menstrual or lunar cycle), is seizing the opportunity to see life through fresh eyes. With a childlike perspective of awe and wonder we can direct our imagination to join with the stirrings of Spring. This acts as a powerful tonic to soothe a heavy heart and uplift our spirit after the Winter season. Merging our awakening with the expansive energy of fresh growth helps us to focus forward with positivity. Connecting our intentions with seeds germinating in the soil, magnetises our dreams into being. Interlacing our joy with the excited nest building birds, weaves new threads into our projects.

This invitation to awaken from Winter into Spring, comes to us through many cycles; Every morning when we rise from deep rest to start the day. Each menstrual cycle when our period ends, we transition to Inner Spring as rising Oestrogen levels bring fresh waves of energy. And once every 29 days in the Lunar cycle following the new moon, when the increasing moonlight expands our desire for connection with the outer world.

Noticing these subtle signals, patterns and cycles alive within us, just as they are outside of us, is an empowering perspective. It inspires a more intimate relationship with nature as we realise these changes are happening ‘for us’ to evolve, rather than happening ‘to us’ for the sake of difficulty. 

I invite you to go for a walk in a green space today. Push through any resistance you might have to the weather by dressing up in your warmest clothes. Set the intention to walk in awe of the nature you find. Look really closely, then look closer still. Here you will find these stirrings of Spring. Even between the cracks in the pavement. Rest your hands on the trunk of a young tree and breathe, let your fingers meet the new buds forming on her bare branches. Cast your eyes over the earth to see the fresh green shoots breaking through the soil and reaching for the light. Listen closely to the birdsong as it ripples through your ears and raises a gentle smile. The more you look, the more you will see. The more you see, the more you will feel. The more you feel, the more you will become.

So as Winter and Spring enter the seasonal dance, be gentle with yourself and trust life to unfold. Awaken slowly, steadily in your own time and open your eyes with a child-like sense of wonder. And remember… you can always grow some fairy wings.