Midwinter: Pincushion Moon

Midwinter is the time of the longest, shortest month, the month of Februaries. That short month can feel like more than one month! The trees are still prickling sticks, bristling and sometimes brittle looking. Our own tempers can be brittle at this time, sharp edged, hungry. The branches of the trees poke the moon. Underneath all this though, if we look beyond the cold, rest, replenishment, the slowness of deep restoration is taking place. The sharpness of winter just covers the growth taking place within; in the plants, and animals, the trees, and in us, for we are also animals, in need of the slowness of winter and rest, even if we have convinced ourselves otherwise. Trust the process of slowness, of growth that requires rest. Not all growth looks like green leaves.