The Gift of Balance

Free audio guided somatic practice (14 mins)

Celtic Wheel Series #4 - Ostara Reflections

The following piece provides background for the short audio-guided practice below.

Ostara, the fourth turn of the Celtic Wheel, marking the mid-point between Winter and Summer Solstice (Vernal / Spring Equinox), fell on March 20th this year. Day and night were equal then, before daylight began to eclipse the darkness of night, giving us longer days to enjoy up until Summer Solstice.

For the ancients, Ostara was a time of balancing energies - dark / light; feminine (yin - associated with the left side of the body) / masculine (yang - assocated with the right side of the body); rest / activity. It was a letting go of the slumber of Winter into the renewal and burgeoning growth of Spring. It was for them, as it is for us (though we may forget in our modern 24/7 existence), an important turn of the wheel, acknowledging the balance, before moving into the high activity of late Spring and Summer.

It seems to me that over the years, the word ‘balance’ has become, to some extent, another stick to beat ourselves with. We are exhorted at every turn to find ‘balance’ in an increasingly speeded up world e.g. the importance of finding a ‘work / life balance’. So, I find myself pondering what ‘balance’ means in Nature, in order to let that guide me, rather than the multidinous and often, conflicting advice, fired from digital devices, as warning shots about the dangers of being ‘out-of-balance’.

And Nature, faithful as ever in the quest for wisdom, tells me that ‘balance’ does not necessarily mean ‘equal’. Rather, like a recipe for a deliciously tasty meal, it means a little bit of this, a pinch of that and a dash of the other. Indeed, the recipe may even change slightly, in accordance with the seasons. Like rising bread, dependent as much on environmental conditions as it is on the ingredients within, or a chef who creates a dish that appeals to all of the senses, out of what might seem to others, an empty larder, there is an intuitive wisdom to finding balance.

Once we learn to tune into that inner sense, the perception of what constitutes ‘balance’ in any given moment of our lives, may surprise and delight us, like that delicious, nourishing meal, coaxed out of a seemingly empty store-cupboard.

Feeling balanced, is as individual as we are - my idea of balance may look completely different to yours and that is why a ‘one-size fits all’ prescription is not applicable. Even within an individual life, on a day-to-day basis, there are so many factors and variables at play, which means that a continuous process of checking in with oneself is required, especially when choice is presented to us.

Life is an array of choices from the small and barely perceptible, to the large, life-changing decisions we make. Living a truly ‘balanced’ life, therefore requires an aptitude for checking in with one’s own needs and desires, in order to make the best choice in any given moment.

Tuning in to our own needs (physical / mental / emotional), is an art in itself. It is exponentially more challlenging to engage with this while spinning at such a fast pace through our busy lives, so it is helpful to practice during moments of relative calm e.g. just after waking and just before sleeping. I find that some of my clearest insights come through these liminal spaces, when I tune in and allow Wisdom to guide me rather than Mind. Alternatively, if you can find a brief respite during the day to tune out from the world and into yourself, that also works well.

Bringing awareness to the physical body, is, in my experience, the most reliable route to the Wisdom encoded in your cells and embodied in your very being. The body tells us very quickly how we feel about any situation or choice. The attached audio (14 mins) is an offering to guide you somatically (through the body), to your own inner wisdom and what it wants to tell you, if you are ready to listen and hear…

I wrote this piece a month ago, just as the Wheel was about to turn to Ostara, intending to post it then, once I had added the audio. However, life became a bit hectic and I didn’t get around to it. Because so much time had gone by since Ostara, I decided to abandon ship but the past few days changed my mind. In these few days, I have had to draw on all resources to find balance in my own life. For me, this often means working with the mantra ‘done is better than perfect’, no small undertaking for my inner perfectionist.

In recent years, I have come to trust more and more that the right medicine will find me at just the right time and so it was the past few days. I listened carefully to what my Soma (body) had to say and found balance therein. Thus, I changed my mind about posting this piece and the attached audio so long after the event because if this is the right medicine for even one other right now, then the timing must be perfect ♥

This practice involves lying on your back, comfortably. If the floor, on a mat or rug is not an option for you, a bed will work, though the more firm the surface, the more feedback you receive from your body. If straight legs cause any discomfort or pain, bend the knees and put a bloster or cushion under them.

Either way, get comfortable and warm as you can before you hit play and close your eyes gently once the recording starts. Again, it helps to close the eyes because that draws attention inwards, but if closing your eyes induces any unpleasant feelings or emotions, leave them half closed or open. Enjoy! :)