Align With The Magic of Deep Winter: 9 Simple Rituals

Deep winter is the time of long dark nights on either side of the Winter Solstice in the Northern Hemisphere, a  season that can support us in drawing inwards, tending to our hearth fires, and remembering what is most sacred to us- both as individuals, and as beings who are part of a larger web of family, culture and community. However this time of year can also be time that some dread. Having lived in the Pacific Northwest for most of my life I know that Seasonal Affective Disorder is a very real thing for many people, and I have certainly experienced it myself. While the simple practices I offer here may not be all that is needed if you are struggling with S.A.D, I do think they can help, and they will certainly bring an element of connection and delight to your winter season.
Get up early, while the rest of the world sleeps. Roll out of bed before the sun rises and enjoy the darkness of a deep winter morning. Light candles, build a fire if you have one, sip tea, wrap yourself in blankets and savour stillness. This is a hushed and sacred time and it can be yours if you are willing to rise a little earlier….
Do something slowly. Allow yourself to do one thing slowly each day, whether it be a slow and sensual yoga practice, cooking a slow food meal, or taking a slow walk outside. Let yourself attend to that one task fully. One of my favourite slow practices for winter is a daily oil massage and a long bath…
Indulge in personal practice. Meditate, pray, roll around on your yoga mat, sing mantra, practice pranayama. Find ways to weave these practices into your daily rhythm, 5 minutes here, 20 minutes there, whatever you can do. Draw a thread of personal practice throughout your day and notice how it fortifies you….
Dive into a big book. Let yourself get lost in the pleasure of story and the written word. Feed your imagination, nourish your dream life…
Do nothing. Watch snow fall, listen to the rain, be still…
Nourish yourself. Spend time in your kitchen, clean out your spice cabinets, stock your cupboards, and cook some traditional foods- the ones that tie you back to your ancestry, your lineage, your culture. There is simple and profound magic here…
Make something with your hands. Start a winter knitting project. Weave, paint, carve, build something. Don’t be afraid to learn something new, or create something that is less than perfect, instead simply enjoy the tactile pleasure of making something just for the joy of it…
Be intimate. Connect with old friends during this season, play board games with your family, turn off the TV, be present with each other. Host small dinner parties. Make time for rich conversation…
Go to bed early. The nights are long and this is a perfect time to catch up on much needed rest and relaxation, so give yourself permission to be in your pajamas by 8pm (or earlier!). Get in bed with a good book, or cuddle with your loved ones, allow yourself to withdraw from the world…