Seasons of Soul Growth

Humans are cyclical beings. We are inherently influenced by nature’s seasons, the phases of the moon, the menstrual cycle and other natural rhythms even if we aren’t aware of it on a conscious level. But the forces of the outside world are not the only ones impacting us. Our internal world is in a constant state of flux as well.

Have you noticed that during certain periods of your life you feel inspired, brimming with energy and optimistic about the future, only to feel low, restless and stuck a few months later? This is normal and necessary in our personal cycle of growth. Instead of resisting these inevitable changes we can sink further into them, learning the lessons that are there to help us develop and follow where our soul is leading us.

“And the day came when the risk to remain tight in a bud was more painful than the risk it took to blossom.” – Anais Nin

Let’s explore the 4 seasons in the cycle of growth together…

Winter

Our personal winter matches the stark and scintillating landscape of decay. It is normal to feel depressed, restless, lonely, confused, trapped and depleted. There is a claustrophobia and despondence that can accompany this season. But it is not without its positives!

Winter also grants us the subtle gifts of introspection, rest, retreat and evolution. The purpose of this proverbial hibernation is to help you reconnect with your soul’s whispers. It is akin to the caterpillar in the cocoon. There may not be a lot happening externally, but on the inside we are undergoing a deep crystallization process, a radical realignment. This is the necessary preparation you need to ascend to your new vibration and uplevel. No one said that rebirth was a painless process. Transformation is only possible after first experiencing a period of dying and shedding.

Once or twice in your life you may experience a winter “snowstorm”- a full blown axis shift where you call everything into question: your lifestyle, beliefs, identity, etc. I equate this to the time in 2017 where I hit rock bottom. While it is tremendously jarring and emotionally turbulent in the moment, (a physical manifestation of the Tower card or a Saturn return) the purpose of this is to get clear on who you are and what you really want.

Oftentimes there is a tendency of the ego to reject and resist this impending change. This is borne from a desire to keep us safe and spare us the possible danger and hardship of the unknown. But resistance only makes this transition more difficult and rife with growing pains. As C.S. Lewis said, “There are far better things ahead than any we leave behind.”

Let go and allow. Surrender to the beauty of your becoming and embrace what the Universe has in store for you. Any roadblocks that crop up along the way are lovingly placed there as a sign that such a path is not meant for us, or the timing is not quite right. Trust that what is coming to you is better than you could have ever imagined.

During winter it is advisable to enforce personal boundaries and decrease commitments that don’t resonate. Listen to the wisdom of your body and slow down your mental activity as well as overall energy expenditure. This season is meant for rest, contemplation and going within.

{Ways to expand + thrive in Winter}

chakra balancing + energy healing
mindfulness
seek social support
journaling
engage in playful exercise and eat grounding foods

Winter crystal allies: smoky quartz, labradorite, bloodstone, rose quartz

Spring

The seeds of creativity that were planted in the psyche during Winter bloom with fervor in the Spring. Spring is characterized by exploration, inspiration, renewal, a birthing of ideas. Winter’s dark night of the soul may yield to the relief of awakening. It feels like hope and joy and the frisson of anticipation. There may be a flurry of mental energy present which leads to an abundance of promising ideas. The shadow side of this however is an imbalance in the upper chakras; excess in the mind goes hand in hand with overthinking and feeling blocked and inhibited like birds in a cage.

The simple antidote to this is making the conscious decision to act on your vision, your heart’s desire. Resist the tendency to get stuck in your own head, paralyzed by indecision or passivity. What’s the point of dreaming a better world into existence if you don’t do anything on the earth plane to ground it into reality?

Spring is an exciting time when you feel expansive, buoyed by the possibilities and elevated by your ideas. When you realize that you are about to embark on an exciting adventure, a new journey, you may encounter limiting beliefs or challenges from your ego. This is only natural when entering uncharted territory. If you sense twinges of anxiety or nervousness within, try labeling those feelings as “excitement” instead. Trust that you are being guided in the right direction and take the leap.

Bravely cross the threshold that leads to your new vision and vibration. Remember that this courageous choice can lead to profound ripple effects in the lives of those around you as well. What if this leads to the awakening of others?

Spring is the catalyst that engenders new and radical inner shifts. If you feel overwhelmed, take a deep breath and break things down into baby steps- go at your own pace. Your goal will still be waiting for you on the other side. Simply check in with our intuition and follow the energy where it leads.

{Ways to expand + thrive in Spring}

drop into the energy of your heart
be intentional
go on adventures, bonus points if they’re outdoors
turn your dial to higher vibrational thoughts
map out your vision or idea and get clear on your “why”
pay attention to signs & synchronicities

Spring crystal allies: aventurine, selenite, carnelian

Summer

You’ll know it’s Summer when you begin to feel irritated and itchy from all the brainstorming and daydreaming of Spring. When Summer arrives, its time to make that Springtime vision a reality! Summer energy is hot and vibrant, burning like a wildfire. Its trademark characteristics include: vitality, optimism, pleasure, action, flow and alignment. This is the season where you give birth to your creation. Riding on the coat tails of this powerful life force is the doubt seesaw. Such a phenomenon feels like a rollercoaster of emotions. You’ll alternate between feeling utter confidence one moment and a stirring of uncertainty the next. The other dark aspects of summer include over-extension, pushing and vulnerability.

Summer is marked by a commitment to action and a very busy schedule. A lot of energy is expended externally and it is common to feel a little overwhelmed. It’s okay if there is less of a focus on your internal world and spiritual side. Keep things in perspective by maintaining a sense of balance whenever possible. Plan your days intuitively by following the flow of what feels good and honor what you need in the moment. Make time for meditation to keep your energy levels up and draw on the reservoir of rest that you built up during autumn and winter. Give yourself permission to veg out if you feel called to do so to avoid burnout.

{Ways to expand + thrive in Summer}

Yoga
Honor your energetic rhythms
Break down goals into manageable steps
be present in the moment
carve out time for fun
give your root chakra some TLC
acknowledge your accomplishments

Summer crystal allies: sunstone, citrine, tiger’s eye, clear quartz

Autumn

And slowly but surely the days get longer and darker. There is a palpable chill of change in the air. Our inner fire, burning hot and bright during Summer, grows dimmer during Autumn. We can’t operate at maximum capacity forever. Autumn is that pleasant balance between activity and pleasure. When you detect a shift in your outlook and interests, chances are that you are transitioning into the season of falling leaves. Yes it’s true, Autumn can be uncomfortable as it is often accompanied by boredom, resistance to change and a creative plateau. But it also provides welcome opportunities to reconnect with our spirit.

The purpose of this season is to reflect on what you’ve learned, achieved and even outgrown. It asks you to focus on what needs attention in your life at this moment and heralds a period of rest and recuperation. Finally, autumn heightens our intuitive antennae and allows us to feel into what is and isn’t right for us.

Dissatisfaction can result from trying to recreate the energetic and emotional highs of Summer. That season has served us, but now it’s time for a decrease in activity and an increase in space. The restlessness and confusion that we occasionally encounter during autumn actually drives us to seek out spiritual inspiration and nourishment. Use this time to reflect on your achievements and creations and take pleasure in knowing that the cycle has come full circle.

{Ways to expand + thrive in Autumn}

Pamper your body with facials, reiki, acupuncture, massage, lymphatic drainage, nourishing food
Allow yourself to indulge in guilty pleasures and embrace moments of fun & inactivity
Acknowledge the path you took to get here and pay attention to the stories you’re telling yourself
Follow intuitive pulls
Declutter and cleanse your home + space

Autumn crystals allies: Amethyst, moonstone, jade, black tourmaline

Reflecting on the Cycle

Don’t be surprised to discover that your personal, internal seasons of growth are happening in tandem with nature’s seasons. As creatures of the material plane, we are inherently tied to the energetic rhythms of the Earth and are naturally receptive to her ebb and flow.

Which season are you currently experiencing at the moment?

What intention do you hold for this cycle?

What is your inner guidance nudging you towards?