It seems that much of the OverCulture is a conspiracy against slowing down and resting. It sometimes is difficult to sever ourselves from the busyness and distractions epidemic, even in Winter. All the messages seem to say: MORE!
What if we shaped out a sacred pause in our lives, what if we honored our natural seasonal rhythms? Winter can be a womb in which this happens. For me the couple weeks between solstice and new moon is traditionally a sacred pause.
1)A hibernaculum: Latin, “tent for winter quarters” is a place in which a creature seeks refuge, such as a bear using a cave to overwinter.
2)Any case or covering for protecting an organism during the winter
After a flood of doings and creating, We honor the season and the callings of our body and soul to slow down, be still and listen, integrate all the difficult and wonderful and intense experiences of the year, and replenish our powers.
We Commit to An Apprenticeship of Silence, Slowness, and Deep Listening.
We rest, honoring the wisdoms of not-doing.
We feel gratitude.
We honor the losses of the year.
We allow ourselves to mourn.
We acknowledge and celebrate the gifts and harvests of the year.
Rather than leaping into to-do lists, goals, and resolutions, We listen to the voices of the Inner Guide and Muse so we can better be of service to Life and a regenerative culture.
We open all our ears to the dreams that want to fruit in the darkness, like the mushroom bodies emerging from the forest floor.
For some, we might allow a period of time abstaining from food, or speaking, excessive light, social interaction, phone, computer, production/creation, planning, and media.
Or we might create/craft from a place of organic unfurling, finding our own pace with peace poured into it.
May you find your best way to listen to your body and soul wisdom, to carve out your sacred pause, and sink into your seasons.
Artist credits:
1: Sandra Deickmann picture book Leaf, 2017
3: Jessica Boehman, Bedtime Stories, 2013
Support independent artists. Both are on Etsy: SandraDieckmann and HansMyHedgehog