Costa Rica's Seasonal Dance: Life and Death in Harmony"

Prepare to be captivated by the enchanting rhythms of life as we explore the wonders of seasonal living in Costa Rica. In this tropical paradise, time seems to slow down, the locals embrace you with warm hospitality, and the seasons reveal their subtle and counterintuitive beauty. But what sets Costa Rica apart is its fascinating dance with the traditional concepts of winter and summer, where the patterns of life and death intertwine in perfect harmony.

Verano: A Different Kind of "Summer"

Costa Rica challenges our expectations as the "verano," or summer in this part of the world, begins during what is traditionally known as winter. It's an interesting time with the hot and dry, many plants start to go dormant or die back and others thrive. Leaves gracefully fall, imbuing the landscape with a gentle letting go. This natural transition contrasts with the bustling energy of tourism, which peaks during this time. For those accustomed to the four seasons, it may feel like a call to slow down, questioning whether the economic peak season aligns with the cycles nature expresses.

Passionflower flowering in February at Ecomaste!

Summer Solstice: Welcomes Solace

As the sun reaches its peak, a transformation occurs in Costa Rica. The rhythm slows down, the rains return, and tourists gradually bid farewell, creating a sense of tranquil deceleration. But amidst this serenity, something magical happens - new life awakens. April-May ushers in the planting season, as dormant seeds and plants burst forth, showcasing vibrant colors and abundant growth. Simultaneously, other plant species gracefully fade away, creating a poignant dance of life and death. It's a symphony of nature that inspires us to reflect on the delicate balance of existence.

Jaboticaba Fruit Harvested in April at EcoMaste

Life and Death: A Dynamic Dance

In Costa Rica, life and death intertwine harmoniously, challenging our conventional understanding. With a background in four-season climates, we're accustomed to viewing life and death as distinct and separate. Yet, Costa Rica invites us to see them as integral parts of a grand design. Witnessing the vibrant plants and fruits flourishing during the planting season, born from (April & May), deepens our appreciation for the cyclical order of life. It's a dance of interconnectedness that empowers us to see beauty in every phase.

Our greenhouse this month (February)!

Celebrating the Beauty of Nature's Symphony

Costa Rica's climatic cycles offer a fresh perspective on life's seasons, pushing our preconceived notions aside. Here, boundaries blur, and birth and growth seamlessly merge with decline and death. It's a revelation that transforms our understanding of life itself. By embracing Costa Rica's rhythms, we become part of nature's ever-changing symphony, celebrating the interconnectedness and wisdom that abound. Costa Rica's vibrant spirit inspires you to embrace the beauty of this dynamic dance, where life and death unite in perfect harmony.

So, are you ready to immerse yourself in the captivating wonders of seasonal living in Costa Rica? Get ready to experience a different spin of the seasons. Grab your passport, embrace the unexpected, and embark on a journey that will forever change your perspective. Bienvenidos a Costa Rica!

What is Cyclical Living?

In a world characterized by constant change and rapidity, the concept of cyclical living beckons us to slow down, embrace the beauty of nature's rhythms, and find harmony within ourselves and the world around us. By aligning our lives with the cycles of birth, life, aging, and death; the changing seasons; the elemental forces; the lunar phases, and the menstrual stages, we can rediscover the profound interconnectedness of all things. In this blog post, we will explore the benefits and importance of cyclical living and how it nourishes our well-being by honoring these intrinsic and inseparable cycles.

The Beauty of the Life Cycle: Birth, Life, Aging, and Death

The life cycle mirrors the very essence of cyclical living. Just as the seasons follow one another, our lives move through distinct phases: birth, life, aging, and death. By acknowledging and celebrating each stage, we embrace the full spectrum of the human experience. Birth brings new beginnings, life offers opportunities for growth and discovery, aging gifts us wisdom and reflection, and death reminds us of life's impermanence. By embracing these natural transitions, we deepen our connection to life and find meaning in the ebb and flow of existence.

Harmonizing with the Seasons: Winter, Spring, Fall, and Summer

The seasons represent nature's eternal dance of change. In winter, the earth rests and rejuvenates, mirroring the need for introspection and renewal in our own lives. Spring bursts forth with new life and energy, inviting us to nurture our passions and dreams. Fall calls us to release what no longer serves us, just as the leaves fall from the trees. Summer, the season of abundance and vibrancy, teaches us to celebrate life's joys. Embracing the seasons' cyclical nature fosters adaptability and balance, allowing us to savor each unique moment while staying connected to the larger rhythm of life.

The Elemental Forces: Air, Fire, Water, and Earth

The elements form the very fabric of creation, and their energies influence our lives in profound ways. Air represents intellect and communication, fire embodies transformation and passion, water symbolizes emotions and intuition, and earth grounds us and provides stability. By understanding the qualities of each element, we can consciously harness their energies to enhance our daily experiences. Just as the elements combine harmoniously in nature, we can also find equilibrium within ourselves by honoring these elemental forces.

Dancing with the Moon Phases: New Moon, Waxing, Full, and Waning

The moon, with its ever-changing phases, has long inspired awe and wonder. Each lunar cycle offers unique opportunities for intention-setting, growth, release, and introspection. The new moon is a time for new beginnings, the waxing moon encourages growth and manifestation, the full moon amplifies energy and illumination, and the waning moon invites us to release and let go. By aligning with the moon's phases, we synchronize our actions with the cosmic dance, amplifying our intentions and deepening our spiritual connection.

Honoring the Menstrual Phases: Menstrual Bleed, Follicular, Ovulation, and Luteal

For those with menstrual cycles, honoring the menstrual phases can lead to a profound reconnection with their bodies and inner wisdom. Menstrual bleed brings a time of rest and reflection, while the follicular phase heralds new creative energy and ideas. Ovulation represents heightened vitality and connection, and the luteal phase calls for self-nurturing and introspection. By embracing these menstrual phases, women can enjoy cycles with less negative symptoms, balanced emotional health, more productivity and focus, better physical endurance, and feel more inspired and empowered in all their relationships.

Conclusion

Cyclical living is a timeless and intuitive wisdom that brings us closer to the core of our existence. By honoring the cycles of birth, life, aging, and death; embracing the changing seasons; harmonizing with the elemental forces; dancing with the moon phases, and recognizing the significance of the menstrual stages, we embrace our inherent connection to all of creation. Through this holistic approach, vibrant well-being becomes a natural side effect, as we align our lives with the flow of nature's eternal rhythm. Embrace cyclical living, and embark on a transformative journey that will enrich your life with purpose, balance, and an unyielding sense of wonder.

Author: Amanda Luna is a multi-passionate, Holistic Health Practitioner specializing in

Yoga, Qi-Gong, and Herbalism who teaches and practices the Art of Cyclical Living.

Stay tuned for her upcoming Classes, Workshops, Programs, Retreats & 1-1 Mentoring offerings and follow her on instagram @alunaliving

for free content about holistic health and wellbeing

The Art of Self-Stewardship

Stewardship, often attributed to the practice of managing land and its resources, carries a deeper essence beyond the tangible. The act of stewardship reflects respect, responsibility, and care for all life forms, human or not. And in the context of self-growth, self-stewardship embodies a path of conscious exploration, observation, and acceptance of our inner world, leading to personal transformation and fulfilling experiences.

Self-stewardship is the act of observing ourselves with a neutral and compassionate mindset, similarly to how we might observe the natural world. This requires a neutral mindset that is free from stories, plans, and beliefs. When we apply this neutral lens to our thoughts, feelings, and sensations, we can gain insight into our patterns and habits, which can empower us to make more conscious and fulfilling choices.

Cultivating observational skills is a crucial component of self-stewardship. Nature holds an unexplainable serenity and harmony that teaches us compassion, neutrality, and co-existence. Similarly, through deep presence, we can observe our own inner world without judgment or any filtered lens. Simple practices like settling into a quiet moment, focusing on the breath, and feeling the body's sensations provide opportunities for unbiased observation and centering, which is necessary for ultimate growth.

The journey to self-stewardship can come in different forms, and through various means, one of which can be land stewardship. Starting by learning how to be stewards of the earth, starting with small steps such as growing your food, planting trees, or creating a compost, one begins to understand how to take care of themselves. Ultimately, self-stewardship requires full responsibility for one's life, including owning it, seeking to understand, and keeping the commitment to be a positive guiding force in life.

Embracing the spiral of life, which brings unforeseeable ups and downs, is also a vital component of self-stewardship. Seasons of change in nature are linked to moments of life when we are tested, stretched, and sometimes even broken. But embracing the challenges, accepting them as an opportunity for growth, can be among the most transformative experiences of our lives, just as the changing of seasons can remind us of the cyclical nature of life. Both continuous transformation and the understanding that life is continuously evolving can help with handling the daily gritty moments of life.

Coming full circle, self-stewardship is a journey of self-acceptance, personal growth, and accountability. It requires cultivating the skill of neutral and compassionate observation, connecting with nature, and embracing the spiral of life. In essence, it is connecting with nature by tapping into the most valuable treasure of all, which is within ourselves, opening the possibility for a fulfilling life of self-knowledge, abundance, and purpose.