A Balanced Look at Cold

Many of us are also outwardly or privately grumpingclear to me that I was one of several who needed
about how miserable we feel when cold dominatesto be at the front lines of this process while others
our weather, so I thought I would bring a littleheld the space with drumming and a few others
balance to all this. Yes cold does have benefits so ifacted as keeners.
you want to become more accepting of it and lessIn non-ordinary reality I did battle with several types
whiny about it, keep on reading.of destructive energy that night, but it was the
In Wellness traditions cold is recognized as havingspirits responsible for alcohol addiction that caused
energizing, invigorating, blood pressure stabilizing,me to call out to the cold powers of the North for
immune enhancing, pain reducing, and mood liftingassistance. The alcoholic spirits were particularly
powers - it has the ability to help the body balancechallenging to deal with (is this why we call alcoholic
and heal itself.beverages "spirits"?). They were black, sticky, elastic
Many of you do understand how cold can wake youand tarry, and as soon as I tried to gather them in to
up in the morning when you crawl out from undergive to my power animals for transformation to less
the warm blankets and into a less than warm showerdestructive forms, they would spring back to their
- beats caffeine every time! Feeling sleepy at workoriginal place, form and way.
an unable to get things done because you areWhen it became clear that I was out powered I
sequestered in a warm still air environment? Take acalled in the help of my power animals to guide me.
five minute break and stick your body outside andThey suggested that I call on assistance from allies in
breathe in the fresh inspiring air.the North, which I did so immediately, and I very
High blood pressure can be a silent time bomb tickingquickly found myself standing in a circle with many
away threatening to blow a gasket in ourother white clad beings. They showed me how to
cardiovascular or circulatory system. Cold watersing to these spirits and breathe out onto them to
therapy (hydrotherapy) can help to strengthen thefreeze them deeply and solidly. This process took
autonomic nervous system over time so that ourquite some time because the energy of these spirits
body's ability to normalize blood pressure increases.was being changed from a plastic state to a
Cold water applications can also improve the releasecrystalline state. Once they were in the crystalline
of cytokines which in turn can improve our immunestate, my spirit allies reminded me of the big stick
function.that I had brought with me this weekend and
Cold sensations can override pain sensations to giveprepared for the hunt.
temporary relief of pain. Acute injury protocol usesWith the allies help I raised the stick high above my
the RICE method - Rest, Ice, Compress and Elevate.head and brought it down on the newly crystallized
In this case the immediate application of ice can helpenergy and watched it shatter into billions of tiny
to reduce internal bleeding and the swelling thatcrystals. As I recall this, I remember that as I
causes additional stress to the traumatized tissues.watched the crystalline explosion it seemed to
Regular interruption of chronic pain signals with coldhappen in slow motion - very cold matter usually
energy can help to build new, more harmonious painmoves at very slow speeds. After the dust had
free patterns.settled we all swept them up with brooms and
Body wide endorphin release can accompany colddustpans that my northern friends had brought along
water baths or showers as sensory nerves arefor just such a purpose. As I was sweeping I
activated. This can lead to feelings of optimism,wondered what we were going to do with them
comfort and preparedness for facing challenges.next so that they didn't just find their way back to
Those polar bear swimmers can probably tell youone another and return to their original form.
great stories about this effect.The answer to my query came quickly. My northern
For additional information about cold therapy andfriends led the way, and one by one the pans full of
hydrotherapy there are many online resources andcrystals were carried over to the water's edge and
print resources to study. It is best to consult yourgently sprinkled into the water as food for the
personal Physician, Massage Therapist, Chiropractor orsalmon. In Celtic lore, salmon is one of the oldest and
other professional for advice before using heat orwisest creatures, and I had no doubt that as salmon
cold treatments.consumed these crystals a transformation to a more
In 2006 I was studying Celtic Shamanism with severalbalanced state would occur. That part of the battle
wonderful classmates and an inspiring teacher, Tomwas over and I bid farewell and great gratitude to
Cowan, and I became aware of how helpful themy northern allies for the smart strength that they
power of extreme cold energy can be for helping toshared with me.
encapsulate and transform destructive energies. TomCold can kill. Cold can restore balance. It can be an
was sharing stories of the Wild Hunt ritual that manyenemy or an ally. If you have a monkey on your
ancient communities practiced every fall to maintain aback that you want to be rid of, you could consider
healthy balance between creative and destructivecalling on the energy of the cold to help you return
energies. We prepared to conduct or ownto a more balanced state. Just be sure that you are
contemporary version of this powerful ritual withready to make the lifestyle changes that this will
specific journeys, powering up exercises and rolerequire before you ask for help, because Grace is
selections. As the weekend progressed it becamegenerous and hears even the faintest call for help.