Connecting to Winter By: Personified / Knowledgeable
Post # 1 Jan 03, 2016
Brrr! Winter is upon many of us, and we find ourselves bundled inside to escape the cold. Some are lucky enough to have ice and snow piling up outside, others may simply feel a chilly breeze in the air. Instead of staying wrapped up inside, here are some suggested ways you can connect to nature during the cold of winter. Feel free to write what you personally do during the winter to stay connected to nature or use its natural energies! Are there specific practices, crafts, tools you associate with the winter?
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Some suggested magical practices and crafts that could be fun to implement during the winter:
Angry snowballs : If you have some built up negativity, some bad habits you've resolved to get rid of as your New Year's resolution, or other things you want to remove from your life- visualize these things in the form of a snowball. If actual snow or ice is available to you, make a snowball and visualize the negativity leaving yourself and moving into the snowball. Then toss it far away from you.
Land Spirit Offerings : During this time of year, you might find yourself interested in working with some of the land spirits that are out and about. You could consider building a natural spirit house for them out of resources you find (fallen branches, bits of pine needles or tree bark, frozen water). Leaving them offerings is always a pleasant thing to do. Perhaps place fruits, flowers and other items typically not found during the winter outside and allow them to freeze over.
Ice candles : Ever wanted to make your own candles using ice? They are simple to make and can be made/used all year round. Check out the following link. http://www.lonestarcandlesupply.com/candle-making/guides/how-to-make-ice-candles/
Ice lanterns : Use ice to make natural lanterns to hold your candles. All you need is latex balloons, a source of water, and either freezing temperatures outside (or the use of your icebox). A fun and simple craft with beautiful results. http://www.willowday.com/2012/01/ice-art-2-ice-art-with-balloons.html
Snowman poppet : Build a snowman somewhere on your property. You can use this as a large poppet for some kind of magical purpose.
Water meditation : Snow and ice are both forms of water. If you have either, this would be a good time to work with your connection to water and understanding the many forms it may take. Go out into the snow or ice. Focus on the feeling of it- the experience of being surrounded by it and exposed to it. The cold can be a good focal point to guide you into an altered state, if you allow it.
Winter meditation :Use this time of the year to turn your thoughts inward and be reflective of yourself. It can be a good time of the year to "cool off" if you've found yourself to be pent up, battling issues with being overly emotional, etc. Because it is around the beginning of a New Year, you could use this meditation experience to focus on positive changes you want to take place and the new energies associated with this time of the year.
Re: Connecting to Winter By: Personified / Knowledgeable
These ideas are awesome, the ice candles are especially cool. Usually, around this time of year I work with evergreens/conifers more, since they're everywhere here and thrive in the cold weather. Pine needles contain a ton of vitamin C and can be very beneficial in teas.
