Looking outside after a recent snowfall, I noticed my thoughts went first to the logistical challenges of driving and how much extra time I’d need to get to my destination. But as I gazed a little longer, I started to be curious about the healing properties of snow. After all, it’s made of water just like rain, which is known for it’s soothing and cleansing qualities. So how about snow?

Depending on our age, life experience, or plans for the day, a snowy morning can bring a wide array of emotions. Kids might become especially joyful to play outside in the fluffy white wonderland, and skiers may delight in rushing down the slopes. Others might be wary of falling on the ice or feel bogged down with shoveling.

Whatever our initial reactions, a fresh snowfall offers opportunities to support our personal healing as well as the well-being of our environment. Because it contains the entire color spectrum, the color white can symbolize the spiritual concepts of wholeness and possibilities – concepts that help build a sense of meaning and hope in life. And noticing how it covers the entire landscape in a pristine blanket of brilliant light can bring feelings of calmness, appreciation, and awe. Looking at it from a broader perspective, the sparkling reflection from snow balances the entire energy of the Earth. According to the National Snow and Ice Data Center, it helps keep the planet cool by reflecting solar energy back into space.

By combining these healing properties with the realities of shoveling, driving, and icy sidewalks, perhaps snow is a reminder to open up to the complexities of our world. Rather than seeing it as all good or all bad, maybe there’s a hidden message in snow, asking us to cherish the uplifting aspects of life while doing the work needed to address the challenges we face.