Understanding and nurturing the dorsal vagal branch of the nervous system can be transformative.
As we lean into this time that feels like winter, we notice, at least here in Oregon, the icy weather and car windows covered with frost. The late-blooming flowers appear frozen in time. Our neighborhood is quiet, mirroring the stillness of the natural world. Animals are slowing down and resting, yet we humans often feel compelled to go faster during this time, even though our nervous systems and bodies crave a slower pace and rest. I’ve noticed that I tend to get sick around this time when I don’t listen to my body and its needs.
Check-In
Rest and hibernation are vital components of our nervous system. They allow us to recharge deeply when we have spent too long in the sympathetic state. Many people view this aspect of their nervous system as unfavorable, but it is a natural part of life. We must rest and rejuvenate to gather the energy needed to continue with our lives. I encourage you to connect with the energy of a bear, cat, or dog. These animals understand the importance of rest and embrace sleep as a way to recharge their batteries.
The darkness is also a valuable time for shadow work, reflection, recentering, and introspection. As we approach the end of the year, it’s a good moment to examine what is working for you and what is not. Now is the time to attend to yourself. How can you use the healing darkness as a room for creation and potential? What do you want to bring into this healing space? What do you need to clear out?
“..The sentence that emerges from a dorsal state of collapse, “I’m so tired, I could give up,” could be changed to, “I’m so tired, I could rest for a bit.” The sentence that is fueled by sympathetic activation, “I’m so angry, I could scream,” might become “I’m so angry, I could take a break and come back in a while.”
― Deb Dana, Anchored: How to Befriend Your Nervous System Using Polyvagal Theory
This space of darkness helps us recharge and return to a central point, enabling us to build our energy and connect with others more easily after tending to our needs. Please reach out if you need assistance clearing your energy system or learning to care for yourself better. I can help you create a plan for your rebirth.
Next Steps…
I am offering two workshops, one tomorrow and the following Wednesday. This week’s workshop Energetic and Nervous System Reset, focuses on clearing and cleansing your energetic and nervous systems to help you feel more clarity, and ease, and calm. The tools we will be using are reiki, EFT, hypnosis and breath work. Next weeks workshop, Return and Attend to Self will work on learning how to use energy medicine, visualization and hypnosis to attend to yourself and own your energetic power. Let me know if there’s any way I can support you during this time of healing darkness.
Until later, lovelies. Have a beautiful week.
With love and compassion,
Celine
