Turtles are out, all about us. Often a vision of yin-like stillness basking on a rock or fallen tree, in river or pond drawing a ‘sustenance’ from the heat of the sun. So necessary to their ectothermic reality requiring external heating to balance internal metabolism. I can see in their slowness and one persevering turtle step at a time, which can win some races, a beautiful reminder to engage with the slower, quieter, restive Yin possibilities always still present, even within the exuberant, accelerated and often rambunctious flows stirred by the Yang energies of our summertime sun.
Pausing to chill at times, perhaps in those ways turtles will submerge and drop into the cool depths of a pond or creek. Sitting in the shade with a cool drink, or hot tea or simply watching the world go by. Maybe a few poses on our mats, breathwork or quiet meditative sit. Appreciating that even as our outer world may be so illuminated by the external light of longer days, that it can still be useful to sink into the cool dark depths of our inner beings; drawing within one’s armoured shell as some turtles do, to reflect and consider next small steps of life. Allowing too of course, while solo can be so sweet, there are rich energies to be gained from gathering, as does a ‘bale’ of turtles on a sun struck log, to create quality times with friends and family, those of like heart and mind.
Even as the light and the warmth of the sun stirs the dance of summer, consider occasionally taking small, slower, gentle steps, tapping into rhythms of slow, and pause and still. Embracing the supports of cool and dark, and the enduring flowing wetness of the world. A bit of ‘turtle yin’.