This winter has been a time of deep inwardness for me. I find solace in the rhythm of winter—the stillness, the hush that settles over everything, inviting deep contemplation. There’s something about the long nights and crisp air that calls me into a sacred pause, an opportunity to truly listen. The darkness feels potent, like a cocoon where something unseen is quietly taking shape. The pull to retreat, to rest, to surrender to the slowness of the season is undeniable. I cherish this time of year as a portal for transformation, a space where I can realign with my natural rhythms before the energy of spring emerges.
The New Moon in Aquarius arrived as a cosmic breath, stirring the winds of innovation and radical self-awareness. Simultaneously, we stepped into the Year of the Wood Snake, a year of wisdom, transformation, and adaptability. And now, with Imbolc just days away, we find ourselves at the midpoint between winter and spring, standing at the threshold of renewal. These celestial and earthly markers remind us that transformation is both a spiritual and natural process.
In the Hindu tradition, this sacred shift is honored through Magha Gupt Navratri, a time of deep inner purification, devotion, and spiritual discipline dedicated to the Goddess. This year, Magha Gupt Navratri begins on January 30th, just a day after the New Moon in Aquarius, and will continue beyond Imbolc. As I did last year, I will be participating in this sacred observance, aligning with its call for stillness, ritual, and divine connection. Across cultures, we see the same rhythm—a time of stillness before renewal, a call to clear the old to make space for what is coming.
I feel the slow awakening within me, mirroring the Earth's stirring beneath its winter blanket. The sun’s growing strength calls me to stretch, to unfurl from the nourishing belly of Mother Earth, and to begin my ascent. This is a sacred invitation to go inward, to attune to our inner fires, and to align with the cosmic cycles that guide us. I feel the flickering warmth of transformation, urging me to rise, to release, and to step into the light of what is yet to come.
A Story of Fire, Rest, and Transformation
Imagine yourself in a winter forest, the air crisp and alive with silence. Snow clings to the branches, bending them in graceful arcs, whispering the quiet history of seasons past. You inhale deeply, your breath curling into the air like an offering. The hush of the season wraps around you—a sacred pause, an invitation to turn inward. Beneath the frozen ground, unseen roots stir, sensing the warmth of what’s to come.
Your body knows this rhythm—a quiet stirring, the gentle call of something deep within, ready to rise. There is no rush, only trust. The Earth does not force its thaw; it opens, allowing light to seep in. Within you, embers glow beneath the surface, steady and insistent, waiting to be nurtured.
This transition between winter and spring is not abrupt but an unfolding, a slow awakening. Stillness gives way to movement, just as you are being called to rise, stretch, and step into who you are becoming. Fire is the force that ignites this change—not with urgency, but with purpose. It clears, refines, and makes space for renewal.
What must be released to welcome your own transformation? How are you tending your inner fire, keeping it steady and strong?
This is the beauty of Rhythm Ritualz—moving in harmony with your natural cycles, embracing the wisdom in both stillness and change.
The Earth does not resist transformation; it surrenders. The snow melts, the soil softens, and deep within, unseen roots reach for the light. Your body mirrors this unfolding—a gentle awakening, an expansion without force.
You feel the embers within flickering—a quiet reminder of the fire that persists, even in the stillest of seasons. It does not demand, but it calls to be tended—with breath, presence, and intention.
As the seasons shift, the elements whisper their wisdom: Earth anchors, Water flows, Air breathes life, and Fire ignites the path ahead.
Fire is the catalyst for transformation. It burns away what no longer serves, creating space for something new to emerge.
What will you release to make room for growth? How will you tend the flames of your becoming?
In the womb of the earth, the seeds of your next chapter are stirring. This moment calls for trust. It’s about resting so that reflection flows effortlessly. This is the essence of Rhythm Ritualz, the practice of aligning with your body's natural cycles, honoring the seasons within yourself as much as those outside your window.
Fire is essential for transformation. Just as we honor the return of the sun during the solstice, we must honor the fires within us. Fire burns away the old, making space for new life to emerge. How are you honoring the parts of yourself that you are releasing? How are you tending to the flames of your rebirth?
New Moon in Aquarius: Seeds of Innovation
This New Moon invites us to see with new eyes. Aquarius encourages us to expand our minds, shed outdated stories, and embrace our uniqueness. It is a time to:
Reflect on what no longer aligns and release it with love.
Trust the unknown, knowing that growth often begins in the dark.
Plant seeds for a future that feels freer, lighter, and more true to who you are.
When was the last time you allowed yourself to dream without limitation? Now is the time.
Lunar New Year: The Wisdom of the Wood Snake
In the shifting of the lunar calendar, we step into the Year of the Wood Snake—a year of quiet transformation, intuitive wisdom, and deliberate movement. The snake sheds its skin in sacred timing, teaching us:
To release what no longer fits—without fear, without doubt.
To move with patience and precision, trusting the unseen path ahead.
To embrace resilience, adaptability, and deep inner knowing.
Where in your life is it time to let go, so something new can take its place?
Imbolc and Magha Gupt Navratri: The Awakening of Inner Fire
As Imbolc approaches, the Earth stirs. The first signs of life push through the frozen ground, whispering, “It is time.” This ancient festival, dedicated to the Goddess Brigid, is a celebration of inspiration, renewal, and purification.
Similarly, Magha Gupt Navratri, a deeply spiritual nine-day Hindu festival, is dedicated to Goddess Durga and her many forms. This is a time for purification—of mind, body, and soul. Devotees honor the divine feminine through meditation, fasting, and sacred rituals, clearing stagnant energy and preparing for the new cycle ahead. This year, the timing is especially powerful, as it follows directly after the New Moon and extends beyond Imbolc, reminding us that transformation is not bound to a single day but is a continual unfolding.
Rituals for this sacred time invite us to:
Light candles and lamps to invoke the divine presence of the Goddess and honor the returning light.
Take a cleansing bath, washing away stagnation and inviting fresh energy.
Chant mantras and meditate, deepening connection with our inner wisdom.
Plant seeds—both in the soil and in our souls—as symbols of the intentions we wish to nurture.
Through honoring these universal themes of renewal—across traditions and cultures—we step deeper into the sacred rhythms of life, awakening to the truth that transformation is happening within us, just as it is in the world around us.
Join Me for Sunday Soul Flow
If you’re feeling called to deepen your connection with your body and breath during this powerful season of transformation, I invite you to join me for Sunday Soul Flow, my weekly morning yoga class. This is a space where we move with intention, honor our inner rhythms, and embody the sacred cycles that guide us.
What to Expect: Gentle, flowing movement, breathwork, and meditation to align with the shifting energies of the season.
A Time to Release and Trust
This moment—this New Moon, Lunar New Year, Imbolc, and Magha Gupt Navratri portal—is a reminder that transformation happens in stillness.
There is nothing to force right now. No pushing, no grasping, no striving. Just release. Trust that even when you cannot see the growth, it is happening.
Especially then.
Let this be a season of honoring your rhythms, surrendering to transformation, and stepping fully into alignment with the natural cycles of your life.
With reverence for the unfolding mystery,
P. Shananda