Here in South Vermont, Wantastegok, the temperatures are wavering between 20 degree days and 60 degree days. I guess this is a common feature of life in this region, and it existed where I lived before, too. But here, I'm more aware of how important this cycle is for tapping maple syrup (the pressure created by the temperature changes is absolutely crucial for the process), and also intrigued by the forthcoming "mud season." Simple things like seeing Wintergreen again under the melted snow bring me a lot of joy (yay fresh wintergreen tea!).
I recognize that in some contexts, changes to the nature or duration or lack of existence of various freeze-thaw cycles, as a result of climate change, can create some negative outcomes. At the same time, in some contexts, the freeze-thaw cycles may help generate complexity (for example, there may be evidence that the freeze-thaw cycles helped our "distant, single-celled ancestors" generate longer strings of RNA that could fold themselves into "functional structures."
With repeated thaws, we approach Spring, which in this area also brings about "vernal pools," small temporary wetlands created by "seasonal precipitation and runoff [that] collects in small basins." Lots of neat critters breed there, especially frogs! If the pools dry up before the froglets are old enough, they might die, which is why there is some benefit to breeding as early in spring as possible.
If warm weather persists for a stretch, spring plants may start to send out buds, shoots, or even flowers that could get damaged in the next freeze cycle. This is the paradox I think of when I say "Vernal Risk:" what are the risks of expanding quickly into spring energy, while winter still wants to be here too? And what are the risks of not expanding/getting the energy moving soon enough?
Somatic and Reflective Prompts:
Explore what it's like to contract your body as much as possible (making yourself smaller, denser, bringing your limbs and head as close into your core as possible) and feel a sense of frozen-ness.
And then what is it like to expand from the freeze--which body part would like to unfurl, or thaw, first? How quickly? Is the impetus to unfurl/thaw coming from within, or from an external stimuli (real, like Sun or Warmth, or imagined)? How much of you would like to expand before you're ready to dip back into contraction?
What parts of you are more familiar or comfortable with a feeling of contraction or stillness? How about expansion?
What is it like to move fluidly between these states--is there any place of discomfort that resists one of the directions? What are the "risks," maybe metaphorically, or literally, for you, of expanding? What are the risks of not expanding? What rhythm of freezing and thawing feels good to you, in this moment?
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