I’m going through my “newsletter inspo” notes folder and find one that I wrote a month ago declaring that “winter is juicy, but in a different way like a big deep cauldron”. I don’t recall what made me jot this down months ago, nor what I even meant by that, but I like the mystery. Into the cauldron we go - it’s solstice! The deepest, darkest day of our calendar. A magic moment that I grow to love more and more each year.
It’s drizzling rain here and has been unusually warm. It feels far more like an October day than the start of winter, but alas, we adapt. I try to do what I can to root into this seasonal shift, both internally and externally. As the late, great Bob Marley once said, “turn your lights down low”. Maybe he wasn’t referring to dimming the lights in order to match nature’s day/light rhythms, but I’m going to take it that way. Embrace the darkness. Turn those lights down low and light some beeswax candles. You will feel like 19th century royalty and will do wonders for your circadian health. Better yet, light a fire and stare deeply into it. Try to find visions of your dream future self within the flames. I trust that one day I’ll have the perfect inglenook fireplace to host all my winter fires, but for now, candles must suffice.
I grew up watching Little Women every time holiday season rolled around, and still do year after year. We’re talking the Winona x Christian Bale one, for the record (the goat). Maybe that explains the gnawing primal need I get around this time each year to don a sleeping cap and walk around a dark house with just a candle lighting my path. I’d like to time travel back for one indulgent, rich Victorian christmas, in which I feast on the likes of roast beef or elaborate meat pies.
Speaking of feasting, I have been baking. I recently made these Martha Stewart cookies with my mom, and can confirm that they are a hit. My other go-tos are vanillekipferl and soft amaretti. I also have a yearly tradition of making a few loaves of chocolate babka, which end up feeling like a chore to eat amongst all the other goodies, but I just can’t help myself.
The twelve days of yule will carry us from now into the start of the Gregorian new year, and with it the rebirth of light. These twelve days are a divinatory time, traditionally spent visioning for the upcoming year. We plant the seeds now for what we want to grow in the upcoming seasons. We reflect on this past year’s harvest. This time of year makes me want to find the mystic. There’s this unshakable call to get myself into a church to listen to a heavenly choir. The thread that weaves from me back to all of my ancestors seems to glow brighter and more golden during these dark days. I get drawn back into olden times and ancient rhymes; a necessary comfort in the fast-paced, turbulent reality I get caught up in.
Side note: If you’re looking for a non-christmas-but-still-festive and aesthetically solid movie, I suggest a viewing of Three Wishes for Cinderella (1973). It’s a Czech movie with a bangin’ soundtrack and perfect snowy, winter scenes.
Ok, now for a fun solstice treat - a giveaway! I would love to share some delicate yet decadent Rose Anointing Oil with one of you. By sharing Healing Arts Press you will be entered to win a 1oz bottle of this special wild harvested rose infused (organic) olive oil. The rose petals were collected this spring and provide a soft, romantic memory of spring with every application, especially needed during these long nights. Personally, I like to use it as a body oil, fresh out of the shower or bath. This giveaway will run over the course of yuletide, aka from now until January 2nd, and is only open to those of you residing in north america. ***please note*** you must be a subscriber in order for me to tell that you shared! Good luck angels <3
Grateful to share this space with y’all. Sleep deep, dream big, and have a very sweet solstice.
happy solstice! i grew up watching the winona little women every year too—so sweet to have that in common.