Call me optimistic, but my antennae are perking up at the tiny subtle signs that Spring is on its way here in the Northern Hemisphere. In fact, this week we passed not only Groundhog Day (when the groundhog in question apparently did NOT see his shadow, confirming an imminent spring), we also passed Imbolc. 

Imbolc is the Celtic or pagan festival that marks the midway point between Winter Solstice and Spring Equinox, which means we’re halfway through winter – the perfect time to get excited and PREPARED for the coming seasonal shift. According to my teacher Dr. Vasant Lad, in late winter, Kapha dosha starts to rise – and if we’re looking for it, we can definitely feel it.

The ancient texts of Ayurveda actually describe 6 seasons, each marked by a particular dosha rising, and a different dosha falling. When you know which dosha is due to rise, you can prepare for it. This is the heart of preventative medicine. In Ayurveda, we call it Rtucharya, the practices or routines we take on in particular seasons to stay healthy.

The 6 seasons of the ancient Ayurveda texts are still distinctly observable in tropical climates that feature monsoons and other influences that were present in ancient India. However in other geographic locations, such as North America and Australia, the weather patterns can be quite different. 

After living in the U.S. for many years, Dr. Lad has mapped the logic of these traditional 6 seasons to only 3 primary seasons here, each with one dosha rising and one falling. He observed that summer is when Pitta dosha rises (due to the heat, humidity, and sharp qualities), autumn/early winter is Vata season (which is dry, light, mobile and cold), and late winter/spring is Kapha time (with its moisture, heaviness, and slippery sluggishness).

In this perspective, right about now is when Kapha dosha starts rising in the natural environment. Kapha is composed of Earth and Water, and it comes after the dry autumn Vata season, composed of Air and Space. The contrast can be notable.

When Kapha starts increasing in the environment, often the first indicator is more moisture becomes evident. It may show up as heavy wet snow, or more rain, or increased humidity. Or we may notice it in the early budding of plants, or the subtle “juicifying” of woody branches.

Interestingly, some have said of Imbolc that it is the day when the sap, which has been drawn down deep into the roots of the plants for winter, changes direction and starts to rise again. This lines up exactly with the idea of Kapha increasing in the natural environment at this very moment in time. 

As we make the transition from Vata predominance to Kapha in late winter, we can keep ourselves healthy by warding off excessive Kapha qualities. It’s helpful to stay warm with layers, and start increasing our movement so energy doesn’t become stagnant. Exercise a little more frequently or vigorously. Try a warming breathing practice like Bellows Breath. It’s also helpful to wake up early and get the metabolism fired up with some hot lemon water – and then wait for the appetite to show up before eating breakfast.

We can also get prepared to counteract any Kapha symptoms that might show up, gathering some good Kapha-proof medicines. The common spring cold is marked by a wet cough, phlegm in the throat or sinuses, watery eyes and chest congestion. At the first signs, we can give Kapha antidotes like ginger tea, raw honey, and heating spices in our food (think black pepper, cumin, cinnamon, cloves). Have the neti pot ready and eucalyptus essential oil for a steam inhalation to counteract phlegm and congestion. 

In the days and weeks ahead, keep your senses peeled for signs of seasonal shifting in your natural surroundings. Perhaps you’ll feel the added moisture in the air, or in the soil, or you’ll see it in the plants. Greet it with enthusiasm and excitement, great Kapha antidotes in themselves, and we’ll be well on our way to a healthy spring.