Ann Moir-BussyThe search for wisdom
by Ann Moir-Bussy
Here in the Southern Hemisphere, winter has begun. It is early June in the far south of Australia, where we have encountered icy cold winds, rain, and darkness. Further north, winter is not so cold. Nature’s seasons enable reflection, and winter draws me inward. Trees are bereft of leaves and show little or no sign of any life; the cold and the damp surround us. For some people, it brings feelings of depression. I wonder what nature wants us to learn from its cycles of winter, and what about our own inner cycles of winter in our lives?
Remembering that mythic stories and their characters embody a deep wisdom if only we open our eyes and ears, I found some reflective thoughts in Norse mythology. Surprisingly, I came across one of the most complex of gods, Odin, often depicted with one eye. There are so many versions of his journeys, and aspects to his complexity that portray both dark and gentle qualities. Here I am selecting just a couple that provide us with insights for a reflection on winter, both externally and internally for ourselves.
Odin
Many of the episodes of Odin’s life form a powerful winter-like pattern: withdrawal, sacrifice, learning and transformation. He was respected for his courage, not for winning, rather, for his courage to face the difficult, the inevitable and how to spend life not avoiding what is difficult but what do you do when difficulty and challenges confront you? Today’s collective culture often focusses on success, not failure. Odin confronted what was difficult, engaged with life, made choices with integrity, and under pressure remained consistent. He was both fierce and wise, discerning and inspiring.
Seeker of Wisdom
He was renowned for always seeking wisdom, so intensely that he was ready to undergo any ordeal to gain it. For him it was a search for inner insight that drove him to sacrifice one eye. This balance between external knowing and knowing from within is a moving lesson not only in the season of winter but also in the winter season in our life, especially as we are ageing. He embodied the archetype of the Wise Old Man. What wisdom are you willing to learn and what will you sacrifice for it?
What he teaches is not whether we will face loss or find ourselves in situations beyond our control, but rather, what we will do when we meet this in our inner winter.
Inner and Outer Winter cycles
In so many ways, winter is a season of darkness. Carl Jung once said
“Even a happy life cannot be without a measure of darkness, and the word happy would lose its meaning if it were not balanced by sadness. It is far better to take things as they come along a with patience and equanimity”.
In other words, it is a time for soul work.
As nature rests while its very fabric is being transformed inwardly, so it is a time when we too need to slow down, be more still and reflect, as we make it a time of hibernation, self-care and renewal. It is time to seek and embody inner wisdom. Outside my window is a huge oak tree standing in its own power, no leaves, no buds, no flowers. It is living and using winter to connect more with the strength of the earth. It is waiting quietly for the winter solstice and transformation.
The poet Rumi captures it beautifully:
“And you? When will you begin that long journey into yourself?”
What can we learn from embracing our outer and inner “winter” journey
- Odin chose a path of wisdom through withdrawal and disciplined attention. What for us requires stepping back a little from pushing for outward success, or wanting to prove ourselves that we are “worthy’? Are we willing to go inward to find that inner wisdom?
- As we grow older, our knowledge/wisdom needs to be embodied; it needs to be felt and owned and then shared. Are we willing to become an elder who is there for those coming after, not just a performer of competence?
- Winter asks us to stop demanding that life stay comfortable, to cease trying to recreate our earlier body or our earlier roles. Can we relinquish roles that others expect? Can we spend our energy on what supports our growth to wholeness, our relationships, our work or the way we can serve now?
In summary, I am inviting you in this brief reflection to embrace this winter wherever you are and join with nature’s season to reflect, grow, and become “one in yourself”.
There is so much more, and below is a link to a video presentation exploring a few insights we can learn from both Odin’s perspective and a feminine perspective from Cailleach, one of the dark goddesses we have explored before. Winter is indeed a wonderful time to go deep within.
The Ancient Goddess of Winter in Celtic mythology.mp4
Connect with Ann at: Mobile:+61 0400 474 425
Christine Sanson Maudy
Jacq Koloski
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