It is Winter in many places..whether you have snow or year-round orange groves, living things feel the same rhythms. One herb teacher describes the four seasons' yearly cycle as a single breath of the living Earth. At the Winter Solstice, the longest night, the planet is at the end of her out-breath, and then starts her long and gentle breathing in. She gathers more warmth and light through Spring, and at the top of the Summer is her best, biggest breath in. At the height of Summer, in the longest day, is a motionless moment..then she sighs and starts to breathe out.

So this Winter Solstice, I hope you and all the living things around you have a warm and loving place to stay while the good Earth quietly starts a new cycle.  Happy Winter!   -laurie