In my chosen spiritual tradition, we observe Yule/winter solstice, honoring the darkest night and welcoming in the birth/return of the life-giving light. The personification of Darkness and Death as well as that of The Light and Birth take center stage as we honor the turning of the wheel of the year.
Although seasonal affective disorder is acknowledged, much of modern culture disassociates from nature so completely that we don’t consider whether daylight, cold and the increased darkness affect our physical, emotional and spiritual well-being. We have heat and insulation in our houses and in our cars. We have fancy coats, boots and gloves to keep our bodies warm. We have hot food delivered effortlessly to our door preventing us from going out to hunt for our sustenance. We no longer gather wood to keep our home warm, much less worry about keeping it dry. Even our pets have sweaters and boots. It’s not surprising then that we fail to consider the state of the season deeply impacting our daily lives. It’s the city’s fault if the snow isn’t cleared off the road. It’s the manufacturer’s fault if our coat isn’t as warm as we expected. Our responsibility in life is focused on maintaining a job and income.
I recently traveled to the Jefferson Pools in Bath County, Virginia to partake of the healing waters. The gentlemen’s bathhouse was originally built in 1760 and is known to be one of Thomas Jefferson‘s favorite places to “take the waters”. It was a beautiful day for the 2-hour drive. It was clear and sunny, but the high that day only rose to about 50°. The bathhouse was freezing and damp. The changing rooms had no insulation or heat and a wet, bare, hardwood floor. My body began to shiver as I changed out of my warm coat and fur-lined boots, while the water dripped from the ceiling onto my bare shoulders. However, the water was luxuriously, warm and clear with a blue tint. The bathhouse and the other bathers floated silently watching the steam rise from the surface or gazing up at the wide oculus opening in the roof.
Off to the side was an overflow shoot beneath the floor toward the outside of the foundation of the pool. We were allowed to climb down this small ladder into what looked like a natural creek bed to sit with our back to the water shoot as it blasted into the little overflow channel, thus creating a sort of cryotherapy experience between the exterior freezing air circulating around you and the warm water massage on your back.
This experience would’ve been virtually the same in the 1700’s versus 2023. The liminality of this time warp was very palatable to me. While there was no mystery or magic invoked, the healing aspects of heated/cold hydrotherapy or the presence of sulfur, magnesium and lithium in the water, this very old rite is still considered a valid, naturally healing and nurturing experience.
Every year in December or January I attempt to take a private retreat. I often yearn for silence and separation from people, electronics, noise and mundane life. A few days or maybe if I’m lucky, a week of self-care, quiet introspection and time in nature.
This winter has been difficult for many: loss of family and friends, injury, illness, and financial hardships are all amplified by the harsh weather. But this year my life is completely different than it was a year ago. While my career hasn’t changed, where I live and work has. I have new friends; I live in a new city and my husband, and I live apart for three or four days during the work week. I am further away from family and my former office-mates. There have been a great many losses, and upheaval in the past year. We chose to downsize and thus sell 90% of our material possessions. We have suffered the loss of several people in our community and drastic changes occurred in my spiritual circle. All of these experiences have had their impact on everyday life.
Taking time for myself to acknowledge, explore and hopefully process so many changes can serve to
manifest a successful future. I tend to put too many things on my agenda, and then be unable to allocate sufficient time and energy to achieve the desired outcome. Knowing this is my weakness and taking time to step outside my mundane life to reconnect to my higher self, and truly sort through what I have experienced this year, to decide what is, and is not truly for my best interests and where I wish to go in the next year, is a powerful practice.
One doesn’t have to travel to the Jefferson pools or out into the deep wilds of the desert to disconnect. However, if you’re not at home, then you are less likely to be distracted by usual responsibilities, chores, TV or social media. You don’t even have to have a whole weekend. A simple option is to wrap yourself in a cozy sleeping bag, find a beautiful spot outside before dawn and watch the sunrise, alone and in cold silence. I wish you the very best in finding the time and dedication to take your own end-of-year retreat. Enjoy the snuggle and wear a warm beanie.
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