This is the time of year that is the place between. It's winter, but the birds have arrived and there are songs being sung about spring. This is the precursor to the vernal equinox energy. We continue to be in winter, in hibernation, and being so, our bodies still need to rest, recover and get winter nourishment. We can feel the sun getting stronger and the days getting longer, but we are not quite there yet. Winter wants to hold us for a little longer, reminding us that we need it; the dark, the slow, the downtime, before we bound once again into spring. Spring energy is intense, like a rocket shot off into the sky. Things start growing, the longer days accelerate at a noticeable speed, nature gets busy building nests and having babies. All of the earth is in a flutter. Let us enjoy what we have left of winter, a preparation for spring, by allowing our bodies to build up the reserves they need in order to keep up. Let us not forget what winter offers us and gives to us. When there is so much snow or ice that we cannot leave home, it offers stillness. When we lose power and need to go bed by candlelight, it offers us a connection to our ancestors from long ago. When the temperatures plummet and we can feel the ice frozen on our faces, it offers us gratitude for a warm home to return to. We can look forward to spring and the energy it brings with it when it comes, but in the meantime, in the place between, let us not forget winter.