Boston, December 2013 and The Guts of Winter

       

Boston Skyline as seen from Governor

                                                                                                          Hutchinson Field in Milton

     
        For a city that laps the Atlantic waters, Boston, considered the most Eastern of American East Coast cities, has some of the best sunsets. At 42 degrees north latitude in late December, the day is over within the span of ordering a "Medium Regular*" at Dunkin' Donuts. Therein lies the efficiency of its people, for the citizens are compelled to run errands in a timely manner to soak up that meager Vitamin D. With this steady drumbeat, I still managed to catch up with 90% of friends and family within a 6-day-stretch.

         How I tortured myself at missing that other 10%! But if there's one thing I've learned in running my own business is that you can't please all of the people all of the time. You can only make concessions and ice-breath promises that the next trip would be a more appropriate time to get together. The future is your friend in a packed social calendar.

         Why does guilt occur and, more importantly, recur? In one recent shamanic journey, I've asked the question about misdirected energy and was bestowed with a yellow light shining from my stomach area. This would be your solar plexus, the chakra of identity, willpower, self-esteem, joy, sociability and digestion. In fact, when especially bubbly, your solar plexus resembles a noon-time sun that shines on all the beings in your vicinity. With the shortened winter days, it's a great time to invite more yellow into your life along with using crystals, herbs and foods that complement this critical chakra.

 

                                                                      Roxbury Pudding Rock in Savin Hill
       
                                             Increase the Following through Early April

•         Foods: yellow lentils, bananas, lemon, butternut squash, ginger, oatmeal, corn, honey

•         Herbs/Vitamins/Teas/Drinks: Turmeric, Chamomile, St. John's Wort**, Vitamin D

 Not the best choice for the Solar Plexus

                                                                                                                     but the appetite loves nostalgia too.

        What's so fascinating about all this integrative health is that these yellow gifts of nature really do help tremendously with digestion and, by an extension, confidence. The word "guts" may have its origin from a Clint Eastwood film but the idea is as old as dirt. Our guts determine how we navigate through the real world, especially socially.
        The focus on the solar plexus is even more pressing when we consider all the fatty foods we eat over the holidays. These do not only cause blockages in our bloodstream and organs but can leave us with a guilt hangover. It's fun and necessary to let your hair down in the latter part of December but come January it's lovely to regain health by refocusing on Manipura or the third chakra known as the Solar Plexus.
     

 

       






Aragonite is a great Earth energy cleanser and can help with issues of discipline and reliability. It benefits the 1st and 3rd chakras.

           January falls under the guidance of the Roman God, Janus, who rules over doors, gates and doorways. Similarly, the solar plexus, while often seen as a spinning disc can also be your own doorway of who or what you let into your life. What projects will soon engage you? What friends will you meet this year? Whatever you decide, may all beings benefit from the light and warmth emanating from your Manipura. 

* I'm still happy to say that in Hub parlance, a medium regular is still known as a medium cup of hot Dunkin' Donuts coffee with two creams and two sugars.