Merry Meet my friends! I’m a bit later writing a blog post for the New Year than I should be. My muse left me I think while I recovered from the holidays! I hope that you all had a very happy Yule, Christmas, and New Year with your loved ones and friends. I know I did. It was even a slower paced holiday season for us this year and much enjoyed. We ate too much, relaxed, visited with friends and family, had gift exchanges and watched the ball drop quietly. The holiday decorations are packed away til next year and the house has been cleaned and cleansed and the fireplace often has a crackling fire happily going. There’s often something baking in the oven or simmering on the stove, and my stack of books I want to read this year actually has had a dent put in it 🙂
Today is a beautiful, blue sky, sunny day but it is also a deep freeze out there! We got about 5-6 inches of snow a few days ago and since then we have had a lot of negative temperatures as well. I don’t mind it too much though. I love nesting in for cold Winter days..cause I can. I know not everybody has that luxury of not having to go out, I’m blessed that way. Freezing wind that takes your breath away and watching snow fall isn’t bad at all when you’re cozy and warm indoors. But I also like to go outside in the Winter. There is something bracing and beautiful about the quietness of Winter. The skies when clear, are so clear as to hurt your eyes. At night, the inky, cold black of the skies makes the stars and Moon shine so brilliantly. Don’t you think so? Taking walks while a soft snow falls is such a wonderful thing to do too.
I posted this picture the other day from facebook on my page. I have seen it before and love it. I don’t know who the original poster of this picture is but credit is given on the picture itself for this one.
Earthing…..a concept I’ve always been familiar with but didn’t know what to call it. When I was a kid, it was for me “getting out in nature” or “sinking my feet in the ground” or “connecting with Mother Earth.” I love the term Earthing and have adopted it. When I posted this picture I asked my friends how they go Earthing in the dead of Winter with snow on the ground. I got some great answers and had a few of my own and thought I’d share them with you. For many people, Winter is a depressive time of year. The “Winter Blues” is a very real thing. Oh sure, some of us just grouse and complain about the cold and missing Summer etc (not me I don’t LOL) but for many it’s a real depression that sets in. For Witches, being outside with our bare feet in the dirt is a necessity of Life. It’s a serious need. It centers us, grounds us, lifts our spirits physically, mentally and spiritually. It’s a huge part of our spirituality. This connection to Mother Earth….not just seeing her but FEELING her. In the Winter, needless to say, being barefoot can be an issue. So here are a few ideas for those who need that connection..no matter what your Path is.
*Go ahead and go barefoot. For however long you can handle it 🙂 I got that answer several times from my friends. Feel that mushy earth and cold snow under your feet. Or the hard, cold ground. Come in and soak your feet in a nice warm salt bath and your spirits will be lifted and your feet will feel great!
*Go out and hug a tree. Another popular response. Feel that connection to Earth through a strong tree that stands stark and dark in the cold weather. The vibrations are there for you to absorb and feel.
*Take a walk. This seems obvious to me but a lot of people don’t like walking in the snow. Of course, if there’s an inch of ice out there don’t go and hurt yourself. But bundling up and taking a brisk walk is good for you anytime. Collect some things from nature while you’re out. Pine cones, acorns, rocks, feathers, greens etc. Bring them home and place them in a bowl with a lit white candle. The scent will fill your house with outdoors. Light a roaring fire and have a hot chocolate or coffee.and you’ll feel exhilarated!
*Get out your gardening books, magazines, catalogs and start planning your gardens for Spring. Perusing them, dreaming of working in your gardens will help you to remember that Spring will be here before you know it. Perhaps you can plant some seed starters and get started inside. The scent of green things growing in rich dirt in little pots should help you a lot and you’ll have an early start on your gardens. I was at Lowe’s the other day and they already have their seeds and pots out!
*Keep indoor plants. Watering and tending to indoor plants keeps your hands in the dirt. Some herbs on your kitchen window sill, some large tropical or tree plants in the house are always nice.
*Take a class on gardening or herbs. I’m working over this Winter and however long it takes me, on an herbalist class. It keeps me thinking of being outdoors growing my herbs, their scent, cutting and drying them etc. I still have herbs hanging in my kitchen I have dried. Rubbing my hands over them and smelling those wonderful scents keeps me in mind of warmer days with the Sun on my back, feet on the ground and hands dirty from digging. Happy thoughts indeed!
* Get some Sun! There are a LOT of gloomy, overcast days in the Winter. If I get the blues over the Winter, it’s often because of lack of sunshine. I don’t care how cold it is outside if the Sun is shining. Find that sunny spot in the house and sit there for a bit, face to the Sun. Absorb it into your skin. You’ll feel better right away. On those gloomy days..light candles, turn on lights, put on upbeat music. Do something to make yourself feel light! Cats and dogs are a perfect example of how much fun laying in the Sun can be. They search out those spots don’t they? 🙂 Do as they do 🙂
*Go outside and do something fun..something adventurous! Go sledding, skiing, ice skating, ice fishing or play hockey. Get that sense of snow days that kids have. Remember that? As kids weren’t snow days just the best things in the world? We didn’t sit around bemoaning the cold….nope…we got bundled up and stayed outside until our toes and fingers were frozen, our noses were running and cheeks were bright red. But our eyes too were sparkling and our energy was abounding and we had FUN!! Do that!!
*Give yourself a project to do. Perhaps de-cluttering and organizing your house. Cleaning out closets and drawers is so satisfying. Perhaps you’ve always wanted to write a book, paint, crochet, spin wool, throw a pot, play with clay, start a blog, learn yoga or meditation, etc etc. Witches can work on their grimoires or book of shadows. Keep yourself busy doing something you love. Or learn something new. You get the idea.
Well, these are just a few ideas, I’m sure there are many more. Don’t let Winter become something dreary and hated that you just have to get through before the days of Sunshine and roses come back. Winter is a long season and that is a LOT of days to feel bad, feel sad, to dread. Every day is a gift, no matter the weather. Make the most of it. If being lazy and reading is all you want to do ..then good..do it. But do it cheerfully with a smile on your face okay?
Blessings of the Winter season to you and may 2015 bring you all the joy and happiness you deserve! I’ll be back soon with bits of magick I’m working on here and there and of course recipes etc. Imbolc will be before we know it!
Blessings and love, Autumn
My Moonlit Path..... 