Samhain: darkness embraces us. Falling leaves give way to bare branches as Autumn edges ever closer to Winter. Warm breath meets cold air. The first frosts grace the ground, transforming our surroundings – a temporarily frozen world. Gradually first, then all at once the cold makes its arrival felt; a sudden storm, howling winds. The trees are getting bare, we’re plunged into darkness from around 4.30 p.m. here, and Christmas still seems far away. It’s time to hunker down, to slow, to savour the darkness and to reframe this time of year.
Finding the Light
Limited daylight hours and even less sunshine can take their toll, yet a shift in our thinking can help to reclaim this time of year. Embrace the darkness for an evening: no unnatural lights – just candles and firelight (or a lamp or two) – and cook something comforting. The art of lighting a fire teaches patience, and there are lessons to be learned from the fire itself: built too big and it will rapidly burn out, the long slow burn provides the best warmth. If you can, cooking on an open fire will take you back to basics, even toasting marshmallows over the flames will provide primitive pleasure. Watch the flames as the night deepens, curled in blankets and talking over the crackling logs.
Learn and Share
These dark days as Autumn turns into Winter are a great time to get to grips with a new craft or skill, particularly before the Christmas rush and with so many of us spending our time at home in the colder months. Something about engaging our brains in learning something new creates a sense of satisfaction like no other, as well as the therapeutic benefits of creative flow and crafting with a community of like-minded folks. Set aside time to attend a group online or an in-person workshop – booking in a date or dates is a good way to hold yourself accountable for that me-time. Fill your creative cup for no productive reason other than it pleases you. Have you always wanted to learn wreath-making? Embroidery? Invest this time in yourself and get lost in the creative flow. You can join me for one of my seasonal gatherings here.
Don’t Resist Hibernation
If in doubt, embrace hibernation season. As I wrote about in my book, Slow Seasons, there is evidence that our ancestors actually did hibernate. I can definitely understand the sentiment. I don’t know about you, but my body has been telling me to rest lately. I’m making an extra special effort to eat more fruit and veg, take my vitamins (especially Vitamin D), get outside at least once a day and allow myself time to slow down, to put my phone away and reach for a book instead. I think a lot of this is about giving ourselves permission to give into the urge to slow, which is so hard in our contemporary society that urges us to keep productive! Consider this your permission slip today.
Slow Christmas Preparation
The call of consumerism has a strong hold but resist the high street’s urge to hurtle towards Christmas and inevitable spending come 1 November. Instead, do some gentle planning for the festive season: make a list or two if you’re that way inclined, or maybe think about crafting gifts for loved ones. And although I have a strictly-no-decorations-up-until-December rule in my house, I still enjoy the first seasonal ritual, ‘Stir-up Sunday’ – the term for the last Sunday before Advent (22 November this year) when families would traditionally gather to make their Christmas pudding to allow a proper boozy soaking and sufficient ripening before Christmas consumption. The ritual usually involves stirring the pudding from East to West (a reminder of the Three Kings) by each family member, the addition of a lucky coin and wish making. Regardless of whether you follow these traditions to the letter, a little planning can go a long way when it comes to Yule, without indulging in Christmas tunes just yet.