Seasonal transition: the art of gradual awakening
Navigating the transition from winter to spring with wisdom and intention
Happy Saturday dear ones! In this letter, I’ll be introducing…
✒️ What seasonal transition is and how to recognize it
⛅ Honoring the seasonal transition on a holistic level
📖 Seasonal transition
In this letter, I’ll discuss seasonal transition, a period often forgotten or not discussed much. This seasonal transition from winter to spring is one I hear most about from those around me. It’s one of the most difficult transitions for me to make on all levels, and I’ve been aware of it since my early 20s.
The thing is, in the past I had no clue what to do with this period nor myself, and since cancer treatment the transitional period has resulted in a bunch of “annoying” symptoms that I could no longer brush away and wait for them to disappear. From feeling “off” between deep tiredness (fatigue), to feeling overwhelmed by mental ideas and endeavors wanting to explore, and thus not knowing how to navigate, and how to shift gear, to runny nose, headaches, tearing and red eyes, feeling fine one moment and all of the sudden feeling like I need to lie down. And yes, some are the consequences of cancer treatment, but I still can feel and sense when there is an extra layer on “these consequences” like it’s the case of this specific seasonal transition. These are just a few of the transitional “symptoms” I feel myself and hear from others. But if I were to list them all we’d be here reading until tomorrow…
Yet, if this sounds familiar, then stick around and keep reading!
From sleep & dreams to rebirth & awakening
We all know that feeling and sensation from sleeping and dreaming to then waking up, but instead of a period of a few minutes (ideally) to a few hours (not so ideal) this waking up is a seasonal one, and one that can takes between a few days all the way up to a mo(o)nth. How we experience this awakening goes in the same manner as waking up every single day. Do you wake up with an alarm? If so, how do you feel once the alarm goes off? Or do you wake up when your body is ready? And if so, how do you feel? And what about your night, how was it?
Just as our sleep hygiene has consequences on how we wake up, how we feel during and after waking up, and how long it takes us to adjust to our day, the same applies to our personal transition from winter to spring.
A crappy seasonal transition is probably the result of crappy (the night of) winter to say the least.
What I’ve seen around me over the years and experienced myself is that seasonal transition, especially this one, can be extra difficult for those:
Who didn’t listen to their bodies, nor did they pay attention to their needs during (the night of) winter.
With chronic disorders or recovering from illness, and who - due to several reasons - cannot (fully) regenerate during (the night of) winter, resulting in lower vitality for the period ahead.
Yet, we all feel and experience this transition to different degrees in the same way we all feel and experience waking up every single day in a unique fashion. So, only the degree of this experience is unique, and how we manage it depends on each one of us.
How do we then flow instead of force during this period?
The Energetics of the seasonal transition: between stillness and momentum
This period is when we are in a state of internal awakening and it can be felt as a tension between rest and movement, introspection and action, surrender and initiation, to name a few. This is a time when we may feel both an urge to step forward that comes from a deep and strong desire, even need, AND the longing of going back to bed, back to the comfort of the winter’s cave.
This comes down to what is happening in nature, and we are part of nature. If we look at the energies of the seasons, we can divide these energies into two movements:
Autumn & winter: the energy goes down and inward —> regression
Spring & Summer: the energy goes up and outward —> expansion
Transition periods between winter and spring as well as summer to autumn can be energetically - body, mind & soul - rough because the energy kind of contradicts itself; wanting to expand as well as regress simultaneously.
I like to call this the battle of the seasonal titans 😅
And there is a reason why this period is called a period of (Re)Birth. No (Re)Birth is easy and this seasonal transition is no different. One can feel it as an internal battle and even a difficult (Re)Birth journey to go through.
How do we recognize this internal transition?
Again, this is quite personal but still what I’ve often heard from those around me and what I’ve experienced myself are the following:
A sense of internal stirring, restlessness, feeling worried/anxious, even if we don’t yet know what’s emerging or why we feel this way.
Fluctuating energy levels, swinging between deep fatigue and bursts of motivation.
A pull toward new possibilities, yet uncertainty about how to proceed.
Heightened emotional sensitivity, as unprocessed feelings surface before release.
A need for clarity, yet a reluctance to leave the winter’s cave.
Immunity fluctuation, feeling good one moment, and then getting sick with a cold, or having upper respiratory issues (ear, nose, throat, and sinuses) to name a few examples.
Does this sound familiar to you too?
These ‘contradicting’ energies are just energies trying to adjust themselves and merging with one another, and this process needs time, patience, and (self)love, and I too, need to remind myself of that every single day 🫣
Honoring the Transition
How difficult it may sound - and this is something I’m still learning - is that the most important thing to do during transition is not to force movement and expansion (spring energy) if we don’t feel ready, yet start consciously attuning to the rhythm of change and work with it rather than against it.
How do we consciously start attuning to the rhythm of change?
🔹 Supporting the body
As our energy slowly starts to return, our bodies require soft and gentle (re)awakening. Rather than abruptly shifting from stillness to intense action, like jumping out of bed once our alarm goes off, we can transition gradually, aligning our physical rhythms and needs with nature’s own awakening.
Adjust nutrition: as the body emerges from winter’s slower metabolism, begin incorporating lighter, fresher foods such as early spring greens, sprouts, and citrus to aid detoxification.
Move your body with intention: gentle stretching, walking, and yoga help awaken circulation without overwhelming the system. As energy starts to build, you can introduce more advanced and dynamic movements like dance or strength training.
Adsorb & sync yourself with natural light: spend more time outside, exposing yourself to the increasing sunlight to regulate sleep patterns and boost vitality.
Honor rest cycles: if your energy fluctuates a lot, listen to your body—some days will call for movement, while others still require more and deep rest.
🔹 Supporting the mind
As you’ve probably read before here on Letters to a WeatheVane, you may already know that winter is a time of deep dreaming, but now as spring appears, our thoughts are shifting toward intention-setting and planning. However, before we take action, we need mental clarity.
Declutter your mental space: as we prepare to step forward, decluttering our minds helps to release mental fog. Journaling, morning pages, or simply speaking aloud our thoughts can help clear the mind.
Refine visions: review the dreams and ideas you cultivated during winter. Which ones still feel alive and have potential? Which ones feel misaligned? This is a time to filter and focus.
Engage in creative play: if clarity feels elusive, engage in exploratory practices—drawing, free-writing, brainstorming, or creating an inspirational journal without pressure. Sometimes, the mind needs space to make connections before it can take action.
🔹 Supporting the heart and emotions
This transitional period often stirs up unprocessed emotions, especially as we shift from introspection to external action. We may feel excitement mixed with hesitation, anticipation blended with nostalgia and melancholy.
Acknowledge your feelings without judgment: if sadness, fear, or resistance arises, allow these emotions to be felt rather than suppressed.
Practice gentle body release: movement, breathwork, and creative expression can help move emotions through the body. And if you feel like it, have a good cry!
Engage in energetical release: ask yourself, “What are you carrying from winter that you no longer need? You can have several journaling sessions to get to the core, as sometimes this is not really clear, visible, or palpable even, and it requires some digging.
Cultivate gratitude for the pause: Instead of rushing toward newness, embrace the beauty of the in-between. This space is rich with wisdom. Start journaling daily and have daily short gratitude sessions in your journal as well.
🔹 Supporting the soul
Spiritually, this transition is a time of (Re)Birth & renewal. It is a bridge between deep inner knowing and outward expression, between the unseen and the tangible. Have you noticed how this transitional period takes place somewhere during the Pisces season?
Set seasonal intentions & goals: instead of jumping into rigid goal-setting, start with broad intentions. Allow structure to emerge gradually rather than forcing a full strategy overnight. I wrote a post about intentions a while ago called “How do you want to feel? and it’s all about setting intentions from the heart.
Work with nature’s symbols: pay attention to early signs of spring—buds appearing, birds returning, the scent of thawing earth, and journal about them. These mirrors of awakening can guide our own inner unfolding.
Practice trust and surrender: nature does not rush, it adjusts & unfolds. Likewise, we too can march to the beat of our own drum and trust the pace of our becoming.
The teaching of seasonal transitions
In a world that often urges us to move quickly, this seasonal transition teaches us the power of gradual adjustment and unfolding. It reminds us that before action comes alignment, and before momentum comes integration.
Instead of fearing this period, feeling annoyed with it, or wanting to “solve” it, we can embrace it as an important space where we care for ourselves a bit more: a chance to refine our vision, nourish our bodies, process our emotions, and attune to the whispers of our spirit before we can go to the next level or season.
Honoring this transition means we honor ourselves while we prepare to step forward not in a rush but with deep clarity, vitality, and resonance. We do not just enter spring —> like nature, we become it, and we embody spring’s energy in a way that is sustainable, intuitive, and profoundly aligned.
And that is the magic of moving with the seasons—not just as an external shift, but as a holistic and deeply personal transformation.
If you too are feeling this seasonal transition, I hope this letter has inspired you on how to flow with it, rather than against it, and see its magic and potential before stepping into spring season.
Ps: 🙏🏻 If you enjoyed this read, then feel free to click on the ❤️ button on this post so more people can discover it on Substack.
🖊️ Also, feel free to share your personal stories about seasonal transitions and how you navigate them in the comment!
🌬️ Sending you magic & healing your way,
-Vane
*all typos in this email are on purpose