If you’d like to listen to a narrated version of this essay, find it on the “A Wild New Work” podcast on iTunes, Stitcher, Spotify, SoundCloud, or right here on our website.
Consider the “ideal” trajectory for a business in today’s economy: the growth curve goes up and up, seemingly into infinity (or until the shareholders can sell the business for a gigantic profit). Consider the “ideal” career trajectory: your status and responsibilities grow up and up until you reach the top of your organization or field.
In both of these cultural myths, cyclical change is nowhere to be found. We’re expected to grow in a predictable and linear fashion, which is antithetical to our own inherent nature and the natural world all around us. From the Moon to the Seasons to our own bodies, cycles of change are everywhere, and when we incorporate this spiralic nature into our careers, a richer and more meaningful experience is possible.
Rhythm is sacred. It is the first thing we hear inside the womb: our mother’s rhythmic heartbeat. Our first breath begins a lifetime of inhaling and exhaling and is the root of our understanding that expansion and contraction are inevitable, beautiful necessities. Soon we learn that day always turns to night, and then back again. As we grow, we learn that the Moon is Full, then dark, then New again, all within a predictable 28-day cycle. If we have a uterus and bleed, we know that our bodies are fertile, then empty, and back again. Over time, we learn about the Seasons and how they express themselves in the ecosystems that we live in. No year is the same, but Goddess willing, we will continue to have rhythmic seasons that carry us throughout our lives.
Zora Neale Hurston wrote, “There are years that ask questions, and years that answer.” It is a deep, unforgettable truth that our lives occur in cycles of expansion and contraction, light and dark, and inward and outward focus. In some periods of our work lives, we will feel as though we’re thriving or gaining momentum. At other times, we will feel lost, or bored, or devastated. There is never a problem with any of these cycles; they may be deeply uncomfortable, but they are ours to go through.
One of the most common things that induces suffering in our careers is the belief that we should be “farther along” than we are. We despise the Season of Winter (metaphorically or literally) because our culture despises periods of nothingness. Consider how much intervention and fussing there is in your workplace: always a problem to be solved, never a moment of rest, or a constant need for everyone to be involved in everything. Where are the cycles of rest and darkness in the modern organization? They’re very hard to find.
This widespread obsession with linear, upward growth and constant “doingness” is an illness. It’s part of the reason why we’re experiencing the sixth mass extinction and the devastating effects of climate change. With the advent and widespread adoption of agriculture, the soil across the world has been over-tilled and so overused that it has largely become fallow. This inhibits its ability to absorb rainwater, nutrients, and even the toxic chemicals that we use, which is why there is a huge zone of death in the Gulf of Mexico (for more information on these topics, see this week’s Resources section).
All over the world, resources are extracted in a mad rush, forcing us to dig deeper and put more stress on the Earth. But this isn’t just happening externally. It’s happening inside of us as well.
No matter how wonderful your organization may be, or how much you love your own business, within capitalism, work is all about extraction. Money is given in exchange for something of value: your time, energy, knowledge, skill, etc. Your organization or your clients may care about you, but ultimately, within this system, their interest is in getting as much from you as they can. This is why it’s so important to honor your energy on a daily basis and stay grounded in your own inherent value, which is completely separate from what you do for work (or even, whether or not you work).
Capitalism and its devotees would like us to believe that the world works in a mechanical, linear way and that we should, too. But when we remember our true nature, which is sacred, we see that we’re rhythmic creatures who need to work in more cyclical ways. “Rewilding work” is truly about reconnecting to ourselves and the natural world within the context of work, which is not easy, but necessary if we’re going to survive as working individuals and as a species.
Working with the seasons has greatly improved my own career and the health of my business. I know now that nothing lasts forever, there are opportune windows for growth, and that rest and downtime are my rights as a living being. I take my business cues from the Seasons and the wisdom within them, seeking to do work that’s in alignment with my own internal, smaller-scale rhythms as well as with the external cycles that I see in the natural world.
In this post, I’ll take you through each of the four Seasons that we experience here in the Pacific Northwest of the United States and share what I believe to be the wisdom of each one, especially as it relates to our careers. This work is largely informed by the ancient Wheel of the Year, which has its roots in pagan and Celtic cultures, and which I first learned about from Allison Carr. Every culture in human history is rooted in nature’s rhythmic cycles because that’s how we evolved, so if the rhythms of the Northern Hemisphere don’t resonate with you, I encourage you to look into your ancestry and consider the Seasons that your loved ones went through before “civilized” culture colonized the world. While I’m speaking from my white, Northern European roots, I honor your experience and the Seasons that your ancestors designed their lives around.
Note: the astrological dates below are approximate and can change a bit each year.
Spring
Spring begins on the Vernal Equinox, which is on or around March 21 each year. It marks the halfway point between the darkest day of the year, the Winter Solstice, and the longest day of the year, the Summer Solstice. It is a period of near equilibrium between night and day, when we begin to see more growth around us. In the Spring, we see new life that’s either cut off or stabilized amidst the chaotic weather and increasing sunlight. Many animals will have their young at this time because they count on plentiful food to come in the late Spring and Summer. There is a freshness and sense of possibility in the air.
Astrological Signs:
March 21 - April 19: Aries (Fire element; Symbols: the dawn, a newborn child, a young ram; Tarot: associated with The Emperor in the Major Arcana)
April 20 - May 20: Taurus (Earth element; Symbols: the bull/cow, a field of wildflowers; Tarot: associated with The Hierophant in the Major Arcana)
May 21 - June 20: Gemini (Air element; Symbols: the twins, a sky that is sunny and dropping rain at the same time, the hands; Tarot: associated with The Lovers in the Major Arcana)
Career and Organizational Themes:
The Spring is an excellent time to plant your intentions for the next growing cycle, which will last until mid to late Fall. What do you most want to see grow this year? How will you nurture your sprouts, whether they’re new ideas, opportunities, or desires? This is the Season during which we see how rich and rejuvenated our soil is after the Winter. If we over-taxed in the previous Season, our intentions may not be as viable. While we don’t always see tremendous growth in this period, we do see gradual progress and need to stay focused on what will give our intentions (or “seeds”) the best possible shot at coming to life. This work is often done amidst chaotic conditions that may knock us off of our footing, so remaining grounded and open to new ways of doing things is essential.
Summer
This Season begins on the Summer Solstice, which is the longest day of the year. In the Summer, the colors and textures of the natural world truly become vibrant. All manner of species are growing under the long periods of sunlight and the warm days. If it’s been a kind Spring, there is an abundance of food that comes in waves throughout the Summer and into the Fall. Like any Season, Summer has its risks: heatstroke, drought, uncontrollable wildfires. In the Summer, the heat needs to be balanced with lower rates of exertion and water so that organisms don’t fall prey to dehydration. In the Summer, we nurture what we planted in the Spring and enjoy the fruits of our labors. We may also plant new life that will come to fruition in the Fall.
Astrological Signs:
June 21 - July 22: Cancer (Water element; Symbols: the crab, a river full with snow-melt, the first fruits: blueberries, cherries, etc.; Tarot: associated with The Chariot in the Major Arcana)
July 23 - August 22: Leo (Fire element; Symbols: the lion/lioness resting in the shade, a day during the height of Summer, a campfire; Tarot: associated with Strength in the Major Arcana)
August 23 - September 22: Virgo (Earth element; Symbols: the vestal virgin, the early harvest, a wheat field; Tarot: associated with The Hermit in the Major Arcana)
Career and Organizational Themes:
The work we began in the Spring continues, creating more space and health for that which wants to grow in the Summer. It is a time of tending to the garden regularly, weeding out what’s unhelpful and balancing the heat of constant action with the cool waters of reflection and rest. It’s an excellent time to re-prioritize, expand beyond what you thought was possible, and create new systems around what it is that wants to grow at this time.
Fall
Brought to us by the Autumnal Equinox, the Fall is a time to celebrate the end of the growing season and work hard to harvest the crops that will sustain us through the coming Winter. The shorter days and crisp air reminds us that change is inevitable, and we may feel drawn to make the most of the daylight we still have while also honoring the inward pull of the darkness. In some ways, the Fall is the first season, because within it, we let our crops die so that the soil can be rejuvenated. We’re in a position to see very clearly how our intentions either did or didn’t come to life this year and reflect on why some seeds sprouted while others didn’t. Like the Spring, Fall is a bridge, bringing us from Summer to Winter, so it is full of transformation and change - both of which require a dedication to surrender.
Astrological Signs:
September 23 - October 22: Libra (Air element; Symbols: the scales, a bountiful harvest shared with others; Tarot: associated with Justice in the Major Arcana)
October 23 - November 21: Scorpio (Water element; Symbols: the scorpion, the Phoenix, a deep, still lake; Tarot: associated with Death in the Major Arcana)
November 22 - December 21: Sagittarius (Fire element; Symbols: the archer, a herd of wild horses, resurrection; Tarot: associated with Temperance in the Major Arcana)
Career and Organizational Themes:
In the Fall, we’re invited to make an honest assessment of ourselves, our careers, and our organizations. We ask, “What worked this year and what didn’t?” We inquire fearlessly, grounded in respect for ourselves and the guidance we get from the Divine. We surrender old ways of working, jobs that are toxic, or relationships that are keeping us stuck. We can undergo a profound transformation in the Fall, which may look like outward action or may be primarily internal. In the Fall, we assess what grew this year and prepare for the quiet contraction of Winter.
Winter
Winter officially begins on the Winter Solstice, which is the longest night of the year. After this day, there will be more light all the way up until the Summer Solstice in June. In the Winter, there is little to no growth throughout the plant and animal worlds. Our friends know that to attempt growth at this time is too risky, and so they settle into their hibernation patterns. While it may not look like much is going on, beneath the surface of the Earth, the soil is alight with rejuvenation. The lower temperatures, dark days, and decreased activity in the natural world remind us to honor our own needs for rest and rejuvenation.
Astrological Signs:
December 22 - January 19: Capricorn (Earth element; Symbols: the sea goat, a spiritual seeker; Tarot: associated with The Devil in the Major Arcana)
January 20 - February 18: Aquarius (Air element; Symbols: the water bearer, lightning, the Trickster; Tarot: associated with The Star in the Major Arcana)
February 19 - March 20: Pisces (Water element; Symbols: two fish, a vast ocean; Tarot: associated with The Moon in the Major Arcana)
Career and Organizational Themes:
It’s not that we do nothing in the Winter, but our doing looks much different than it does in the Spring or Summer. The Winter is an opportune time to make deep, meaningful changes that are going to leave you rejuvenated and available for positive change in the Spring. It’s an excellent time to put healthy structures around your work while also giving yourself permission to reinvent your career in the ways that you most need to. Activity in the Winter should be limited to the projects that most nurture you, giving your inner world a chance to breathe and be transformed within the dark and cold days.
How you use this information and the cycles of the Seasons is completely up to you. As a business owner, I plan my endeavors by the Seasons and attempt to focus on the work that most aligns with what the natural world is doing. For example: planning the year ahead in the Spring, going after big and expansive projects in the Summer, assessing and realigning in the Fall, and creating extra space for restful creativity in the Winter.
I know that many of you don’t have total autonomy in your career at this time and that you’re expected to show up in a workplace and have the same level of output no matter which Season it is. I have worked in those organizations, and I know how draining it can be to be deprived of what your spirit and your body needs: realistic expectations that include acknowledgement of natural rhythms.
No matter how much control you feel over the way you work throughout the year, trust what resonates with you and honor the Seasons in whatever way(s) make sense to you. It may mean planning time off around when you feel most in need of rejuvenation, or celebrating the Summer Solstice by asking for that promotion you deserve. It could be planting seeds of intention for a new job in the Spring and networking your heart out in Gemini season. There are many ways that these rhythms can support you, and it is your right to connect with them and make them your own.
If you’re a leader within an organization, I encourage you to consider how your peers or employees would benefit from working in a more cyclical way, whether that’s more rhythmic days with flexible hours, honoring the thresholds of the Seasons as an entire organization, or something else entirely. Far from being a mechanical entity, your organization is a living, breathing ecosystem that needs to go through regular Seasons of life, death, and rebirth. I hope you’ll look for creative ways by which to allow that to happen gracefully despite the fact that the system around you isn’t built for it.
However you use these cycles, begin by honoring your awareness of them. Your body knows that the days are shorter in the Fall and Winter. Your body will know what to do when the heat of the Summer strikes. Trust your intrinsic wisdom and bring it into your career. I promise you won’t be disappointed.
Thank you for being here and for sharing this time with me. I encourage you to check out the supplemental materials to support your learning this week, including:
* Journaling prompts
* A Tarot spread
* Astrological insights about the Seasons
* External resources to explore
If you know others who would benefit from this course, you can send them this link to sign up for the series: https://mailchi.mp/6843ad029e7b/workasasacredpractice