First Snow Energy – Respite

It’s a snow globe in Denver this morning with huge white flakes swirling and floating to the ground.  I’m not happy that we have snow on October 13^th, but it’s hard not to appreciate how beautiful it is.

There is an energetic feel to the first snow. Beauty is an obvious part of that pulse. So are cold and wet! But that just touches the surface. There is much more.

One energy is endings. The summer gardening season is indeed over. Yes, I’ll be planting garlic next week and there is still kale under frost cloth. But there will be no more heirloom tomatoes. No more fresh pesto. And no more amaranth plumes reaching for the sky. It’s the end of  sitting on the patio at night watching the pollinators visit flowers. So there is sadness woven into the energy.

Stillness is another energy of first snow.  The world is hushed for a little while. Even though humans will get out there and try to busy themselves in the snow, there is a quietness that is palpable. And that stillness can help us tune into own place of quiet.  Of course, my appreciation of the snow and stillness is possible because I have a safe, warm, and dry place to be. I know that is not true for everyone.

Connected to stillness is the energy of respite. And respite is the word I have settled on for this post’s mindfulness focus. Respite means a break or pause to rest and refresh, a time to be still. I think perennials must experience the cold as a time of respite.  It’s cold and they hunker down in a way, but they don’t have to grow or produce fruit or fend off insects. It’s a respite from summer busy-ness.

And it feels the same for me. Tending green growing things occupies a lot of my time in the summer and I love it, however, there is a wonderful thing that happens when gardening season is over. I have more time for books, for connecting with friends, for qigong, for papier mache, and the million projects I have on my endless lists.

Respite is the over-riding resonating energy of first snow for me. As a mindfulness focus we can pay attention to where and when we allow ourselves a respite. We can take a cue from nature, where there is a natural rhythm to busy-ness and respite. And respite is also connected to beauty, also part of first snow energy. When we have the time to step back and rest, take a break from our usual cycle of busy-ness, we are more likely to tune into the beauty around us.

For more information on mindfulness focus words click here.