Time is Defined Through Nature’s Cycles

• A YEAR is the time it takes to move through the 4 seasons.
• A MONTH is the time it takes to move through all moon phases – a.k.a  moonth. 
• A DAY (24 hours) is the time it takes for the sun to move through it’s circadian cycle

Each of these cycles can be broken up into 4 parts, and follow the same flow from beginning to end. It’s absolutely fascinating to see how the same cycle is modelled on the micro and macro level in nature. 

1. Hibernation Phase

The hibernation phase can be found in all three time frames – Nature’s downtime.

• WINTER it is when nature takes a break (no leaves, hibernation, less daylight). 
• NEW MOON is when you cannot see the moon in the sky, like it’s taking a break from being the moon. A break from shining it’s light.
• NIGHT time is when the sun is down and we as humans take a daily break by sleeping (hibernating).

2. New Beginning Phase

The new beginning phase represents nature getting ready to go to work.

• SPRING is a time of new beginnings, like nature is waking up, flowers blooming, brighter sun.
• FIRST QUARTER MOON is when the moon’s light becomes brighter, as if it’s awakening from a slumber.
• MORNING time is when the sun comes up, this is when the day really begins as we rise out of bed and get ready for work.

3. Peak Phase

The peak phase is when everything is hot and bright – Nature’s go-time.

• SUMMER is when we hit peak heat, longest days, brightest sun, nature starts drying up from the heat. 
• FULL MOON  is when the moon’s light is at it’s brightest, luminous like the summer sun. 
• MIDDAY is when the sun reaches it’s highest point of the day, this is when we tend to be at peak productivity and are expected to work in typical corporate structures.

4. Transition Phase

The transition phase is when we prepare for hibernation and darkness.

• FALL is when the leaves start coloring and falling off the trees in preparation for winter’s hibernation. 
• LAST QUARTER MOON is when the moon’s light is waning (decreasing), as it prepares itself for the new moon break. 
• EVENING is when we transition from working into preparing dinner, and winding down to go to bed.

Corporate Structures Built Around Circadian Rhythm (24 Hour Cycle)

Did you notice how the corporate structure is built around the circadian rhythm of a day?

Isn’t it interesting that most of us follow the circadian rhythm each day, yet are so disconnected from the same ebbs and flows in our monthly or yearly rhythms. 

Western society & corporate structures expect us to show up with the same level of energy and productivity in the winter as we do in the summer. That’s like asking you to show up with the same level of energy in the middle of the night as in the afternoon.

Imagine if you never slept, would you be able to show up each day with the same energy?

In a way this is what is happening when we force ourselves to show up with the same level of productivity each day of the month and disregard the season we are in. 

If we skip our monthly and yearly night phases, is it any wonder that our society has shocking increases in burnout rates each year? 

As of 2021 – 59% of millennials are at risk of burnout.

Considering those numbers, it might be time to review our connection to the cycles.