Dear Ferns of the Forest,

The Beginning of Winter (Lì Dōng) marks the 19th seasonal point of the year. While deep winter has not fully settled in, nature is already preparing. Plants die back, insects retreat underground, and the earth turns inward. This is a time of rest, a sacred pause before the renewal of spring.

In Chinese medicine, winter is when Qi and Yang sink deep into the body, moving inward to protect and restore. To honor this season, we are called to rest, conserve, and nourish both yang (our vital warmth and energy) and yin (our deepest reserves).

Through the guidance of SPINE Philosophy, Beginning of Winter invites us to:

• Space (S): Make room for rest—shorten your commitments and allow for quiet evenings.

• Physical Body (P): Choose gentle movement and practices that keep circulation strong while protecting the joints from cold.

• Intention (I): Set intentions for inner healing, not outer striving. This is the time to turn inward.

• Nature & Nutrition (N): Eat warming, nourishing foods—bone broths, stews, root vegetables, ginger, and cinnamon—to support yang energy.

• Emotions (E): Embrace stillness and introspection; allow winter’s quiet to bring clarity to your inner world.

Beginning of Winter is a reminder that slowing down is not weakness—it is wisdom. By conserving now, we prepare our bodies and spirits for the vital growth to come in spring.