As the world around us slows under winter’s hush, we too are invited to pause. Midwinter, cloaked in darkness, whispers of hibernation and introspection. It calls us to retreat, repair, and prepare ourselves for the seasons yet to come. This isn’t merely a time of stillness but a powerful opportunity to honor our natural rhythms, reconnect with our inner world, and realign with the cycles of life.
In this season, we slow down to listen—truly listen—to our bodies and the quiet wisdom they hold. Just as the earth rests beneath its frosty blanket, we too need moments of dormancy to nurture our energy. Ideas come and go, like snowflakes dancing in the wind, ephemeral and unique. There is no need to grasp or force; wintering teaches us to trust the ebb and flow, knowing that clarity will emerge in its own time.
Human Design Transits in January
Over the next 30 days, the cosmic weather invites us deeper into this reflective state. Five of the nine gates in the Root centre are activated through transits, igniting a potent energy of drive and pressure. On January 1, the Sun stands in Gate 38, the Gate of the Fighter and Opposition. This energy pushes us to challenge and oppose, seeking meaning and purpose even when the destination feels unclear.
This transit can feel like a storm within: adrenaline, power, and fixed patterns swirling together. For some, it may stir deep melancholy or restlessness. For those with an undefined Root centre, the pressure to push forward might feel especially acute, creating resistance to the call of wintering. But awareness offers a choice—to recognise the transits as cosmic weather rather than personal identity, and to navigate them with grace. Remember: the storm will pass.
2025 Transit Dates
Gate 38 - 1st January - The Gate of The Fighter - Root Centre
Gate 54 - 5th January - The Gate of Ambition - Root Centre
Gate 61 - 11th January - The Gate of Mystery - Head Centre
Gate 60 - 16th January - The Gate of Acceptance - Root Centre
Gate 41 - 21st January - The Gate of Contraction - Root Centre
Gate 19 - 27th January - The Gate of Wanting - Root Centre
Lean into your Strategy and Authority to guide you through this energetic landscape. Honor the discomfort of dropping inward, and trust that the stillness holds its own kind of power. This is not a season of doing but of being—of retreating so that you may emerge renewed.
The Celtic Wheel and the Wisdom of Winter
Winter holds profound significance in the Celtic Wheel of the Year, a cyclical calendar that honors the natural rhythms of the earth. This season is marked by Yule, the Winter Solstice, the longest night of the year. Yule celebrates the rebirth of the sun as the days gradually lengthen, symbolizing hope and renewal.
In Celtic traditions, winter is a time for deep rest and reflection. It is associated with the element of earth, representing grounding and stability. The energy of this season encourages us to look inward, to embrace the darkness not as something to fear but as a fertile void where new life begins to stir.
Winter invites us to connect with ancestral wisdom and the cycles of nature. It is a time to honor the stillness and trust the unseen processes at work, much like seeds germinating beneath the frozen soil. By aligning with these ancient rhythms, we nurture our spirit and prepare for the growth and action of the seasons to come.
Practices for Wintering
Meditation: Embrace presence with a guided meditation, like the Winter Solstice meditation I’ve created for you. Using the grounding clarity of clear quartz, this practice supports you in sitting with what is, rather than what should be.
Journaling: Pour your thoughts onto paper. Let your pen roam freely as you explore what this season is revealing to you. What do you need to let fall away? What seeds of intention are beginning to stir?
Rest: Listen to your body’s cues. Sleep deeply, move gently, and nourish yourself with warm, comforting foods. Hibernation is a form of healing.
Connect with Nature: Even in the stillness of winter, life persists. Step outside, breathe the crisp air, and notice the beauty in bare branches and frosted ground. Nature mirrors our cycles, reminding us of the inevitability of renewal.
The Power of Acceptance
Wintering asks us to embrace our seasons, both external and internal. As Katherine May writes:
“We have seasons when we flourish and seasons when the leaves fall from us, revealing our bare bones. Given time, they grow again.”
There is empowerment in accepting this cyclical nature, in understanding that rest is not a sign of weakness but a vital part of growth.
By honoring this time to pause and reflect, we prepare ourselves for the renewal of spring and the vitality of summer. The energy of winter is not stagnant; it is deeply restorative. When we embrace it fully, we align with the natural rhythms of life, discovering the strength that lies in surrender.
So, as the darkness lingers a little longer, may you find solace in the quiet. May you embrace the gift of wintering and emerge ready to bloom anew.
Caroline Dearlove
Author
"I am the witness to your soul. I listen with grace by my side. I inspire you to be curious with how you learn the wisdom that this world has to offer you. Birthing your vision from a place of joy & desire. Holding you, so you feel safe to drop into your soul and allow it to lead you. There is nothing more powerful than releasing who we are not, grounding into the earths magic and opening our hearts. I am a teacher, a healer & a business doula - the tools that I use are Intuitive Energy Healing, Human Design, Bodywork & Meditation."
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