March

The Death-Rebirth Cycle

As March ushers in the first whispers of spring, I find myself drawn to the theme of the death-rebirth cycle. Perhaps it's because we're witnessing nature's remarkable transformation—dormant trees budding, flowers pushing through thawing earth, and longer days beckoning us out of winter's retreat. This cycle isn't just happening around us; it's also within us.

The death-rebirth cycle represents our capacity to end certain chapters in our lives and begin anew. It's about honoring endings while embracing beginnings with equal reverence.

Is there a part of your life that's ready for renewal—a relationship pattern, a career path, or a limiting belief?

I've experienced several rebirths over the years. Last month, I shared about my father's passing. Ten months earlier, my brother’s. This month, I'm navigating another profound transition—the recent loss of my mother. In the midst of grief, I'm reminded that death, while closing one door, opens others: deeper connections with siblings, friends, and other family members as we share memories, rediscovered photos that breathe new life into forgotten moments, and a renewed appreciation for the values she instilled in me that now bloom in beautiful and unexpected ways. This leaves behind a sense of security and calm that is not easily disturbed.

What in your life is ready for transformation?

Here are some simple steps to help you navigate your own death-rebirth cycle:

1. Recognize endings - Acknowledge what's completing or no longer serving you without rushing to release it or fill the void.

2. Honor the transition space - Embrace the "in-between" time where the old has ended but the new hasn't yet formed or arrived.

3. Plant intentions - Consider what you want to cultivate in this new chapter.

4. Nurture new growth - Give attention and care to emerging possibilities.

5. Celebrate renewal - Acknowledge and appreciate the fresh energy and perspective that comes with rebirth.

Remember that transformation, much like grief, is rarely linear. Some days you might feel the discomfort of shedding old patterns, while other days bring the exhilaration of new discoveries. Honor this, trust the process, and be gentle with yourself.

This month's quick tip:

Embracing Cycles

Why embrace life's cycles? Because resisting them only creates suffering. When we acknowledge that all things—emotions, relationships, projects, and phases of life—have natural rhythms of beginning, middle, and end, we can move with these currents rather than against them.

Embracing cycles means recognizing that endings aren't failures or altogether negative—they're essential components of renewal. It means understanding that fallow periods aren't unproductive—they're necessary for regeneration.

I often remind myself that nature doesn't rush. The cherry tree doesn't apologize for shedding its blossoms, nor does it panic about when new ones will appear. There's wisdom in this surrender to timing that doesn't equate to giving up, but rather to trusting the natural process of things.

Coming in April:

I'm excited to share that my online women's group is launching next month! Here are the updated details:

• Third week of April launch with 8 participants maximum

• The first session will explore the transition cycle and how to navigate personal transitions with resilience and grace

• For founding members, the first session will be $19

• We'll decide together whether to meet weekly for shorter sessions or monthly for deeper dives

Several spots have already been claimed! If you'd like to be part of this transformative community, reply to this email and I'll add you to the invitation list.

Spring Migrations

This month, I've been witnessing the return of migratory birds to our area. Their journey reminds me of my mother, who taught me to appreciate these seasonal visitors. As a child, she would wake me early to watch geese returning, explaining how they navigate by stars and memory, carrying forward ancient patterns while beginning each journey anew.

In her passing, I see a different kind of migration—the way her spirit, stories, and wisdom continue their journey through me and everyone she touched. Like the geese flying in V-formation, taking turns at the demanding front position, my family now shifts to support each other, honoring her path while charting our own.

These birds embody the ultimate death-rebirth cycle—leaving the familiar behind, undertaking a challenging journey, and arriving at a new beginning. They remind me that while my mother's physical presence has ended, her influence continues to take flight in unexpected ways.

This ecotherapy musing connects beautifully to our theme of death and rebirth, showing how nature embodies these transitions with grace and community.

What new beginning are you ready to embrace? What might you need to release to make space for it? Who could support you through this transition and how will you begin?

It seems fitting that we gathered to celebrate my mother’s life on the first day of spring —  a time of renewal and rebirth. Just as the earth awakens with new possibilities, the seeds of wisdom, love, and strength that she planted in all of us will continue to grow. Her life, like the changing of seasons, reminds us that endings make way for new beginnings, and that even in our grief, there is the promise of renewal. May we all strive to live as fully, love as deeply, and give as generously as she did. —Parting words from my mother’s eulogy.

In all chaos there is a cosmos, in all disorder a secret order. Every process of rebirth begins with despair. —C.G. Jung