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Roots

Writer's picture: Theresa BrulotteTheresa Brulotte



There was a time when I didn't like January. It is mid-winter, darker, colder, and wetter where I live. I craved warmth and sunshine. There is less sun; it is often overcast and grey. I have less energy. I have a hard time getting up because it is still dark.


This year, I am leaning in and accepting the quiet of winter, leaning into the dark; it now feels cozy and safe—a place for rest, contemplation, and introspection. Winter is also a time to dream, slow down, and listen to intuition.


From Native American medicine wheel teachings, we are in the time of the North. They say the North reflects a time of rest, reflection, and remembrance: 

Rest: A time to slow down and care for the body 

Reflection: A time to contemplate life and what has happened 

Remembrance: A time to reflect on being a child, youth, and adult 

Wisdom: A time to impart knowledge to younger generations 

Spiritual understanding: A time to increase understanding of the spiritual world 

Freedom: A time to be free from fear and hate and free to love and learn 

Unity: A time to teach unity between life and Earth 


I recently read a passage from a book that inspired me and gave me more to contemplate. I am sharing the excerpt below. The book is; Something in the Woods Loves You by Jarod K Anderson.

"In many plant species prompted by the cold and shorter days, fall and winter where I live is one of the most active times for root growth. Plants lose less moisture in the winter, and energy is no longer directed toward shoots and leaves. Energy is redirected to growth beneath the soil towards roots. Days and seasons change; that's what they do. Challenging times and seasons promote growth in different areas. We, too, can build new, stronger, and deeper roots."


This passage made me think about my life and growth, above and below the ground. Mid-winter is an opportunity to sense my roots, asking the question: am I rooted? What does being rooted mean, and are my roots deep enough to support my growth and sustain changes? How do I put energy and intention into my roots, into the soil?

The beauty of asking contemplative questions is that, often, the answer is also right there. The answer came quickly: take time for rest, contemplation, and relaxation in winter's quiet and dark season. Surrendering and slowing down brings me joy and peace. That is good medicine in itself.


Permitting myself to slow down has allowed me to look deep within and to my ancestors' roots. Do dormant dark places still need tending so they also become rooted or transformed into soil? When I think of my ancestors, I wonder how their rooted system nourishes my system. In the book The Mother Tree by Suzanne Simard, Professor of Forest Ecology at UBC, Simard articulates that trees have been communicating through an underground network for 500 million years. They share information through the fungi exchanging nutrients by sending hormonal, chemical, and electrical signals and connecting their roots.

As I learn this, I realize that if I nurture my roots, I am also helping others and my family to do the same, and vice versa; I can give and receive from my family and others.


If it feels appropriate, safe, and gentle, I invite you to slow down and feel into your roots, what do you sense? Permit yourself to be intimate with yourself and Earth. Allow curiosity; let your senses speak to you. You may be a strong visual person. What do you see? You may have a strong sense of hearing. What do you hear? Perhaps your strength is to feel. What do you feel? Lose your mind and allow your senses to guide you.


The Earth is in us as we are in her. We increase our relationships and relatability as we deepen our sensing and understanding.


Anyone who knows me knows I am incredibly in love with and grateful for Mother Earth. I call her the first mother; without her, I/we wouldn't be here. She has been and is still the best teacher for me. I have learned about support, love, strength, and truth from her.


With deep gratitude, I say thank you to you, the Earth, myself, and my roots.

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8 Comments


Rebecca
Jan 25

Thank you so much for sharing this. The forest and the sea are magic to me.

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Replying to

You so welcome, the forest and sea are magic and restorative for me too.

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David B
Jan 21

Thank you, Theresa. You'd enjoy Simard's book, The Secret Life of Trees. She's from BC. There's been more recent research that suggests even mushrooms have a language. 😎

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Thank you David, I have read her book, as well as Entangles life, by Merlin Sheldrake. It's all about the language of support from mycelium.

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Guest
Jan 21

Beautifully put Theresa

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Thank you

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Guest
Jan 21

This is beautiful and thank you. In the past I always dispised parts of the winter, dreading and wishing for it to pass quickly. This year is 100% surrendering and I'm absolutely loving the stillness. Stillness also in illness has brought me to slowdown even more which is also a gift. Thank you 😊

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Replying to

Stillness illness has a way of slowing us down, I am glad you are alowing the slowing to be a gift. I've been there too.

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© 2025 by Theresa Brulotte at Balanced Being Counselling

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