Here we are, on the dark side of the equinox, bracing ourselves for the inevitable. Winter.
At the risk of sounding bossy and redundant– gather your books, journals, sketchbooks, pens and pencils. Don’t forget the eraser. You’ll need it. Unearth the velvet curtains and family quilts from the dark corner of the closet. Unroll the carpets. Arrange the furniture in intimate spaces away from windows. Carefully place incense burners and candles scented with essential oils. Check your supply of ethically sourced palo santo, nag champa or Thieves.
Rinse out the crockpot. Stuff the drawers of the fridge with yellow, white and purple onions and a variety of root vegetables. That bowl that usually holds fruit? Fill it with apples, squash and garlic— cook with these items. Splurge on fancy salt (my sister made jalapeno salt!) and good olive oil. Make sure to keep a little sesame oil around for a twist. Gather the recipes that, if you are like me, you will skim for inspiration and then ignore. Handmade bowls nestled in quilted huggers are a lovely way to warm your hands while consuming a bowl of spicy chili or steaming soup (and support your artist friends.)
Dust off the turntable. You’ll have time for the soothing ritual of removing albums from their sleeves and placing them on the turntable. Sound will fill the room with a lovely subtle overlay of scratching and popping reminiscent of the past. Flipping the album, you might remember why some of us know the entire album instead of individual songs. Returning the vinyl to its cover and choosing the next selection is an exercise in Mindfulness (while supporting your musician friends.)
Set up a mediation corner if you don’t have one already. The benefits of daily meditation are endless. Meditation is free and simple.
I’m fostering Archie (ArQi, lol), a beautiful Maine Coon. It’s been many years since I spent the Winter with a cat. I look forward to him being here during the long cozy season. My heart is full.
Each year I share a version of these ideas. The point is simple. We exhaust ourselves when we attempt to keep our summer pace year-round. If we look at Nature and follow her lead, we will be healthier physically, emotionally and spiritually.
We aren’t meant to work a full day, mow the lawn, cook a meal and then build a website in the evening. That pace is (maybe) reasonable in the summertime. Winter suggests a slower pace. Our bodies and our minds long for rest. Seasonal Affective Disorder might be culturally induced exhaustion. Look at the sun and the moon for clues. In the wintertime, the sun goes down at 3:30 pm. We don’t have to sleep when the sun is down, but it makes sense to do something quiet.
Summer is Yang, bright, hot, active, outgoing and energetic. Winter is Yin, dark, cold, passive, introspective and relaxed. Yin time doesn’t have to be dreadful. It can be cozy, sweet and restful. In the Winter, animals hibernate and plants go dormant. Look for the answers in Nature. Nature is wise.