The other day I asked a person how she was, and she replied, “In a moment of reflection.” I thought, “Folks, do these people ever get tired of reflecting?” And then I remembered: it was Winter in Brazil. I was in Portugal under a 35 degree Summer, and the last thing I wanted was to look inside. And we were both right.
In Greek mythology there is the myth of Persephone, the goddess of agriculture, daughter of Démeter, the mother goddess. Persephone was abducted by Hades, and after an agreement made between him and Démeter, went to live for three months in the underworld (corresponding to Winter, when her mother was very sad) and the other nine months on Earth, corresponding to Spring, Summer and Autumn . It is when she rises to the surface and the mother goddess is happy, that the Earth is filled with flowers and food.
In the same way, in our lives, the seasons have their role and are quite representative.
Spring: corresponding to the first 21 years of life, for Anthroposophy, is the period of activity and growth. The temperament related to this phase is the sanguine: cheerful, restless.
Here in Europe at the beginning of this season, we usually do a thorough cleaning, called “Spring cleaning.” It is when after a long Winter, we clean the windows. That is, we bring our look, which was reflective, to the outside world.
Summer is between 21 and 42 years. It is when the person is at his peak, like the Sun at midday. The temperament that corresponds to this period of the year is the choleric: full of energy and determination. An example of an cholerich person was Napoleon.
Autumn is the period of life between 42 and 63 years. It is the period when Earth and life bear fruits. At the same time, regenerative capacities begin to cool down. It is the moment of abduction of Persephone, which symbolizes an initiation. This period shows itself in the melancholic temperament.
From the age of 63, we live the winter. A moment of serenity, reflection, introspection and balance. A necessary moment of renunciation and inactivity, so that the Earth may rest and prepare itself again for Spring.
We can also use this perspective to look at our business: there is Winter, a time to retreat to mature an idea; to wait. It is a time with few resources.
Then Spring, where our ideas begin to be put on paper and bloom – yet carefully, at first, for it is still “cold” outside and the shoots are delicate.
The Summer of your business is the time to show your idea to the world, to expose yourself, to impact, to strengthen.
Autumn is the time when the leaves fall. It is the right time to give up what no longer makes sense, what has already dried up.
The more we harmonize and become one with nature, the less friction we feel with what goes on inside us and with what we have to give to the world.