Winter Rituals for Slowing Down
When the new year at the start of January hits, you may be swept up in the wave of ambition that typically bombards us this time of the year. Our modern Westernized culture emphasizes the Gregorian calendar which aligns the New Year with January, creating cultural pressures to feel like we need to take action on our big plans during a time that traditionally for our ancestors is meant for introspection, collective healing, and slowing down to match the pace of nature. By allowing yourself to rest and repair in alignment with this pace that matches the season, many traditions believed this was the natural way to live in harmony.
Let’s take a look at rituals for the winter that allow us to remember to tap into the rhythm of slowing down. After all, doesn’t our vision for the year become more clear when we don’t begin with a big rush?
Create an Altar to Honor the Season
Have you ever taken a mindful winter walk in nature? You could be inspired by the elements to take home and incorporate into an altar in order to connect with this season and the messages that it may have for you. Perhaps you feel called to the pine cones, the evergreen tips of a spruce tree, a fallen feather from a migrating bird… see what you feel the most called to and allow your curiosity to expand. Our ancestors knew that certain species signified messages for them to connect with, so you could follow up your creation with a little bit of research about the meaning of the pieces of nature that you brought home. These could be direct messages or guidance for you to incorporate into your wintering season. Allow yourself to connect to the spirit of gratitude each time you pass by your altar.
Setting Intentions Instead of Goals
If you aren’t ready yet to make a list of goals that feel forced or too overwhelming, you could focus instead on what you wish your intention of the year to be. A practice that I find helpful is to assign one word to the year: a word that you would like to hold your intention of what kind of feeling or experience you wish to cultivate in your life. (Mine for 2024 is: magnetize!) This word could help be a guiding direction as you continue to grow through the year, and even make it easier to later set the more specific goals that you want to set for yourself based on this intention.
Trataka (Candle Gazing Meditation)
From the Sanskrit “traṭak,” which means “to look” or “to gaze,” this is a simple form of mediation that evokes warmth and visualization. This is a great option for those of us who struggle with traditional forms of meditation, because you keep your eyes open and focused on the flame of the candle, allowing for greater concentration and even known to enhance memory and states of awareness. Imagine you are breathing in the light and warmth of the flame into your body as you gaze, and see how this feels. This could help sustain our inner light through the darkness of these winter months.
Oil Massage
Our skin is our biggest organ, and in the winter we all know how it tends to dry out. One way to really connect with your body and also dispel emotions linked with seasonal affective disorder is to give yourself an oil massage. There are so many incredible body oils created by herbalists that are blended with skin-nourishing herbs if you visit your local apothecary. Your skin will thank you for this nourishment as it absorbs the medicine, and if you tend to be someone who gets anxious in the winter months, this could particularly help you drop into your body by giving yourself this simple form of self-love.
Let us remember that just because it appears that everyone has their 2024 year lined up with incredible ideas and desires, doesn’t mean that you have to have it all figured out in the first month. Once the hype dies down, we are all entering into another cycle of a year filled with consistent ups and downs, lessons to be learned, and collective experiences, so what is the rush? Slow down with these winter rituals, and let us know which ones you’ve liked the best!
