S12 / E1: Soften

In this week’s episode we chat about making a conscious choice to soften, especially as we navigate the shift from late summer into harvest season and beyond.

Why have we chosen to talk about softening?

• ‘Soften’ is our word for August within our Rewilding Wheel framework

• It reflects the slowing of the wild world throughout this month - the mellowing as green turns to gold, the ripening rather than growing, the noticeable dimming of the light at the end of the day

• Much like ‘drift’, the final word we explored last series, it encapsulates the blurring of time and structure that can happen at this time of year

• It reminds us to be kind and gentle with ourselves as we navigate the remainder of summer, and to replenish ourselves where we can before the bustle of autumn

What do we chat about?

• Subverting the cultural narrative that ‘softness is weakness’

• Holding and sharing our tender parts without shame

• Flow, fluidity and the wisdom of the incoming water element (being flexible, moving with life rather than against it, allowing rather than forcing)

• How the Alchemist archetype of August can support us to soften