February 15 - Welcome to a Week of Practices Inspired by Seasons - Beginning with Winter
As I think about seasons, I notice how we have seasons from different traditions that inform our lives and our days. One thing these traditions have in common is a marking of the new year and new beginnings in the cold and darkness of winter.
We will start with winter today as we begin to think about seasons in our lives. I recently listened to a podcast with Katherine May, author of Wintering: the Power of Rest and Retreat in Difficult Times. She spoke about the symbolic use of winter in literature for times of transition. This can be seen in fairy tales as well as in the Narnia series where the children pass through the wardrobe into a snowy winter scene.
May says of winter, “It’s a time for reflection and recuperation, for slow replenishment, for putting your house in order. Doing these deeply unfashionable things - slowing down, letting your spare time expand, getting enough sleep, resting - is a radical act now, but it's essential.”
I am interested in reflecting on how we experience winter and what images it evokes. I am also curious to know how winter is experienced in different places. For example, when I lived in Southern California, the temperature did not change much so the change in daylight hours marked the winter season for me.
I welcome you to share images based on the unique way you experience winter in your home and natural environment.
