Winter Blessings and Beauties, Day 1: Looking Forward to Winter

 

The Welsh name for Samhain is Nos Calan Gaeaf, which means Winter's Eve. That makes today, 1st November, the Celtic first day of winter. Of course, there are several different definitions of the first day of winter. Some people count it as the day the clocks turn back from British Summer Time to GMT. Meteorological Winter begins on 1st December and runs through to the end of February. Astronomical Winter begins at the Winter Solstice and ends at the Spring Equinox (this year 21st December 2020 - 20th March 2021). But it seems to me, if as Pagans we follow a calendar rooted in the rhythms of the Earth, it makes sense to name winter as that period between the day after Samhain (when days have grown short and cold and vegetation dies back) through to Imbolc (when the days noticeably begin to lengthen and the first snowdrops and catkins emerge). Winter is part of the constant change we see around us in the natural world, another station on the turning wheel.

It saddens me that too often it seems winter is seen as something to be endured, a miserable period of cold dark days we have to hunker down and get through in order to get to the brighter days of spring and summer. That's a bit sad really isn't it? Surely there are as many pleasures to be found in winter as any other season. To think otherwise is a failure of the imagination. This year I am determined to really connect with winter and consciously appreciate all its unique and special treasures - not least because this year with the Coronavirus pandemic it seems likely that there will be extra winter challenges to negotiate, such as lockdowns and restrictions on socialising. My hope is that seeking out and appreciating the special blessings of winter will offset the difficulties imposed by the Pandemic. 

Want to join me in this adventure? I plan to post something every day on this topic, right through to Imbolc at the beginning of February - assuming I can be that disciplined! I hope to include seasonal ritual ideas, meditations, craft ideas, journalling prompts, recipes... and no doubt other stuff I haven't even thought of yet! 

To start with, here is my Winter Blessing and Beauty for today:

Winter Blessings and Beauties: Day 1

In your journal, make a list of things you are looking forward to this winter. it will serve as a reminder of all the pleasurable things, big and small, that you can promise yourself lie ahead in the next few months. Here are some ideas to get you started

• Which special occasions will be coming up for you between now and Imbolc? Make a list of birthdays, anniversaries, holidays and festivals, trips etc
• What seasonal foods do you particularly enjoy during the winter? Hot chocolate? Roast chestnuts? Mince pies? Mulled wine? Home made marmalade? Sloe gin?
• What special things do you enjoy doing during winter? Going for a brisk walk through the frosty woods? Soaking in a long hot bath and then snuggling into your cosy PJs and woolly slippers? Wrapping Christmas presents for your loved ones? Curling up by the fire with a good book?