I hear a lot of people bemoan winter weather, but I try to avoid complaining about it. Winter is just another season, the wheel of the year will turn again just as quickly as it always does.
I find it better to embrace the gifts of winter. I allow myself to sleep a bit more knowing that in the days before electricity people were certainly getting a lot more dreaming in this time of year. Why did we decide that we always have to go, go, go? The colder, darker days also allow me to find joy in the ample time to read, sew, journal, and dream of plans for the future. This extra inward-focused time will quickly pass when spring comes!
The most important thing I’ve found to beat the winter blues is to never stop going outdoors — the extra sunlight (even if much duller than summer!) and connection with the turning of the seasons makes the winter a lot easier on mind and body.
Plus, there is still so much beauty to behold!
And when all else fails, this is a perfect time to make plans for spring! Break out the seed collection! What will you plant? Where?
Somehow, embracing winter also means that when the snow melts, those first signs of spring are all that much more exciting!
Today was the first time I really felt the spirit of Imbolc in my wanderings — the ancient Celtic festival that marks the halfway point between the Winter Solstice and the Spring Equinox. Although it was actually on February 2, I think Earth-based holidays are all about when they feel right. It’s nice to celebrate on the exact day, but this year on the actual day I was bringing Light Footsteps to the public for the first time (it went well!)!
So today, in addition to planning our garden and having a heart-shaped dinner, I celebrated the half-way point to spring.
The season of awakening is on the way! Now is the perfect time to let go of things that no longer serve you and dream up what you’d like to manifest this spring.
Green Blessings!
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