Originally included in my November 2023 newsletter. To get the most recent edition of the newsletter, sign up here!
I hope you all enjoyed Samhain and Halloween! This is an interesting time of year for the northern hemisphere. There are both big celebrations and holidays and, simultaneously, decreased activity for most of us. I have always been attracted to late fall and winter: the minor chords, the warmth of a fire amidst the cold, and the moon’s dominion. The world begins to slow and quiet, adopting a pace more similar to my own natural rhythms. The magic of surviving another day becomes quietly more prominent as nature reminds us that nothing is guaranteed.
I retreat deep into my snug cave at this time of year armed with hot beverages, warm and cozy clothing, knitting needles, my cat, and a colorful array of books. As much as I curse the cold when I have to leave my house, I cherish the times when I choose to venture out for pleasure and enjoy rare moments of playful solitude. The world feels full and open, a secret place that I get to explore at my leisure. I spend increasing amounts of time with my ancestors, spirit guides, and house and land spirits, tending them with care and delight during this period when the veils separating us are a little thinner.
The world is slower, and so I too reduce my expectations of myself. We are not meant to work at the same pace or rhythm year-round. And in being kinder to myself, I invite in much more play, joy, and creativity. Late fall and early winter is also a liminal time. It is a reset time when the slate is wiped clean, pregnant with potential energy not yet made kinetic. I wish you all deep joy during this season, and if that’s not accessible, I hope that you will be extra kind and loving to yourself.
the radiant unknown 