Embracing Winter Stillness

As the wheel of the year turns towards the Winter season for us here in the Northern Hemisphere, many may consider how to best stay positive and energized through this season of short days. This is particularly true where I live in the shadow of a temperate rainforest, as the Autumn and Winter seasons here are characterized by months of dark cloudy skies and rain. 

For many, the Winter season is a difficult one to manage emotionally.  Many who are prone to depression suffer more through this season, and for these souls it is important to seek professional medical or psychological support. What I would like to share here is not a replacement for medical treatment, but rather an alternative way to approach this season of stillness. 

Photo by Aaron Burden on Unsplash

Our predecessors on this Earth lived with the cycles of Nature and marked the change in seasons in a number of ways. In Earth Medicine we follow the teachings of Indigenous and Earth-based cultures. In my studies, we learned of the Medicine Wheel which is a way of living for many cultures. On the wheel that I learned, Winter sits in the direction of the North and its themes are those of stillness, wisdom, introspection, and renewal. It is a time of quiet solitude where we have the opportunity to go inward and  replenish our 'inner soil" in preparation for the light and growth of Spring. The North is held by Buffalo and Elk, and by the element of Earth.  It is the place on the Wheel where we feel most connected with our Ancestors. 

Ancient Celtic traditions speak of the Wheel of the Year, with similar connections to natural cycles and elements.  This Wheel is marked by 8 celebrations throughout the year as the Wheel turns and the seasons shift, including the Sabbat (main festival) of the Winter Solstice or Yule. In the Northern hemisphere this is the darkest time of the year, and for ancient people it was challenging not only to stay warm and fed, but also to remain faithful to the belief that the light would return. This was held as a time to create closure of the past year and to mark the shift into the new. Traditionally, this Winter Solstice marked the beginning of the Yuletide and the origin of the 12 Nights of Christmas (originally connected to Yule, not Christmas).  These sacred nights were considered time to have deeper awareness of our intuition and as such, these nights were known for dreams, visions, and other insights of the coming year.  

What a change from the celebratory state of our present society! Is it any wonder many feel unsettled during this time?  In losing our connection to our traditional and natural connection to the seasonal shift, we have created a state of imbalance.  

So how can we create a new sense of balance that may better serve us through the busy holiday season of our modern times? For me, this is a matter of allowing myself some time to slow down, time to breathe, and time to celebrate "being" rather than "doing".  And yes, this takes some planning.  While it seems contradictory with so many tasks and commitments, my meditation and journal practice have become more vital this season.  Even 20 minutes spent in stillness and/or journaling can have a profound effect on my days and ultimately increase productivity! The other important piece for me has been getting outside and breathing fresh air. Stepping into my garden to breathe under the trees, even if only for a few minutes as I gather garden herbs, serves to connect me with something greater than myself and has an immediate grounding and calming effect.  

Photo by Teddy Kelley on Unsplash

This season, I invite you to create some space for yourself to explore this ancient wisdom of seasonal living.  Some ideas for creating moments of stillness include: 

• being present as you wait for baking to finish- breathe in the aroma, observe the transformation from uncooked to golden goodness
• pausing between tasks to re-centre; go outside for a breath of air if you can
• creating a ritual to mark the Solstice - make time to take inventory of the past year, focussing on those things that you would like to leave behind (closing the old year) and those you'd like to carry forward (welcoming the new year)
• connecting to your soul by connecting to Nature.

After the holidays have passed and the New Year is upon us, I invite you to continue this practice of creating stillness in your day. Winter is naturally a dormant time in Nature; the trees are bare and the ground is resting waiting for the return of the sun. While much restoration is happening in the darkness within the trees and the soil, most of it remains unseen by us. Rather than fighting the natural season by trying to stay busy and energized, work with this seasonal energy to slow down in order to renew yourself. In honouring this season of stillness by going within ourselves, it serves to restore our own vital energy and create a strong foundation for the coming months. 

The Joy of Self Care

At this very busy time of year, it is easy to be overwhelmed with our to-do lists and put our own needs after those of others.  Is this wise?  I am reminded of my flight attendant training and the safety demonstrations we gave that said "put on your own oxygen mask before assisting others".  The wisdom of self-care...we know this, yet it is still so hard to put this knowledge into practice.  What if we found a way to re-define our perception of self-care and allowed ourselves to embrace the joy of taking care of ourselves while we look after those we love?

After a very difficult few months, I have struggled with trying to 'do it all' and to 'be all the things'...you know, that mother who is on top of all her child's academic and emotional needs and can schedule driving lessons and appointments with ease; the wife who creates a clean and uncluttered home for her husband to come home to, complete with a meal cooked from scratch; the daughter who supports her grieving family by being available for appointments or just to be together. We all have our own unique variation of this "being all the things"; but where does that leave us?  In my case, it left me exhausted, overwhelmed, angry, and sad. I finally reached my limit yesterday and took a day to stay home, and while I did clean up the house, I also gave myself permission to play in my art journal and have a bath!  Did I feel guilty?  Absolutely! And then, while soaking away the stress and letting the mental chatter of my to-do list flow down the drain, I was struck by a sense of peace, and even joy.  I had put myself first; listened to my body and my needs, and I felt revived and hopeful.  But what does this apparently selfish act mean for everyone around me?  A new and revitalized me, willing to face the season with renewed spirit!  I had been reminded that taking care of myself meant I was better equipped to help those I love: I'd found the *joy* of self-care.

If you are feeling the seasonal stress, why not schedule some time for yourself and see if you too can find the joy in self-care!

  

Autumnal Aromatherapy

Wishing you a Happy Autumn!
The Equinox in September marks the beginning of our Fall season where I live, and in the ancient Pagan calendar this time of "Mabon" represents the perfect balance of light and darkness.  Personally, I always feel this balance as a pull between the playfulness of Summer and the introspection of Winter, and find myself drawn to more inner reflection. 

According to Joni Keim and Ruah Bull in their book Daily Aromatherapy: Transforming the Seasons of Your Life with Essential Oils, (North Atlantic Books, 2008), 

"Autumn is the season of the soul that signals a time to reflect upon your life and assess the health and wellbeing of your body, mind, heart, and spirit.  It is a time for insights and using good judgement regarding your relationships, how you take care of yourself, how you spend your time, and what you have accomplished...  It is also a time to acknowledge and be grateful for the many blessings in your life, and to be generous of spirit.  In all of this, healing takes place." (p.153)

For me, this inward focus also extends to our home.  As the rains and winds of our West Coast Canadian season move upon us, I find myself bringing out my diffuser and essential oils to enhance our indoor space. At this time of year I am naturally drawn to warm and comforting essential oils, as well as many of the evergreen tree oils.  Likewise, Joni Keim and Ruah Bull suggest the essential oils of Spruce (self reflection); Fir (self-understanding); Bay Laurel (good judgement); and Clary Sage (intuition).  A nice way to use these oils, particularly today to mark the change of season, would be to make a blend of 1 drop Fir, 1 drop Spruce, and 2 drops Bay Laurel and either put it into a diffuser, or place on a tissue to inhale.  This blend could then be used as part of a meditation and affirmation to acknowledge the season and your own personal journey. If you have a seasonal ritual, this would also be an excellent blend to accompany your work. Have fun and play with the proportions and oils to suit your own taste...remember that this is intended for diffuser or inhalation from a tissue only as Evergreen oils can be irritating to the skin and are not recommended for baths or use on the body (unless blended and well diluted- consult a professional for information on this).

Other beneficial Essential oils for Fall include:
Palmarosa (self-accceptance), Roman Chamomile (forgiveness), Cardamom (generosity), Cypress (personal growth), Rose (love), Jasmine (gratitude). 

I often mark the change of season by creating a unique blend, and each Autumn I play with various combinations and create a new favourite for seasonal emotional support.  Is exploring scent a way that you mark the change in season? 

 "Aromatherapy Insight cards"by Jennifer Jefferies

Wishing you the comfort and balance of this glorious Fall season!