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It is January, and in upstate New York, that means that winter is most definitely here, as these pictures will attest. Taken in my driveway, you can see the 7 inches of snow that have already fallen today. Look closer, and you can spot the flakes still falling. Snow. Winter. cold.
I will confess--I am not a winter person. My idea of a winter sport involves the couch, a good book, a cat or three, and a cup of hot chocolate. On the other hand, I have come to appreciate some of winter's blessings.
Before I started to practice Witchcraft, I used to get depressed every winter. But one of the tenets of The Craft is that we follow the cycles of the seasons; working with their energies instead of fighting against them. Going with the flow, as it were. And the winter season is one of quiet; more introspection than outward movement, thought instead of action.
As a writer, that translates to the perfect time to turn my energies inward and write, write, write. In the last few years, I have completed a book every January-March. It often takes me the rest of the year to complete another, when I am busy with garden, work, friends, and more. So while I may not ever learn to love the winter, I can happily sit at my computer, poised to work on my two current projects, and say: let it snow, let it snow, let it snow.
Beautiful pics! Winter means the same to me, though not writing, but planning. Got to get things in (mental) order for the spring/summer. Building, moving, animals pasture fencing. Life is going to change big time for us here. Being in the woods will make it easier for me to get in touch with the cycle of the seasons I think...too many confused energies in a city for me. Does that make sense? Enjoy your winter solace, the quiet whisper of snow falling, fuzzy furface muses, and hot cocoa!
ReplyDeletePeace!
Hi Deborah,
ReplyDeleteYour photos of your home/land are beautiful. Very idyllic. Just like a storybook winter wonderland. How I envy you! I live in the rainy/windy Pacific NW where it hardly snows. When it does, it's a damp, wet snow and doesn't stick very long. Sometimes there's snow for a few days. Then, it's magical with the silent, hushed sounds of snow but then comes the freezing sludge which is no fun. So, seeing your home is a treat.
I like what you said about energy flow and how it's better to flow with the seasonal energy as opposed to struggling against it. I need to follow this advice. I have had to endure days of bitter cold followed by days of rain. It makes it difficult to rake leaves. While I don't live on as much land as you do, I do live on a sizeable piece of property that's equivalent to a lot and a half -- approximately 160 feet long and at least half as wide -- with lots of trees. So, I'm constantly raking leaves and bemoaning how the biting cold or wet rain interferes with my clean up. In exasperation, I decided to do as much as I can and if the weather is too disagreeable, then to leave the raking alone until fairer days.
You're such an inspiration! If you can finish a book in January/February, I should be able to do so too. That's an excellent way to utilize winter's seasonsal energery.
Deborah, that's exactly why I wonder if I wouldn't be more productive writing if I lived in the north instead of the south. It's a gorgeous day today---sun shining and just a little nippy. It beckons to me . . .
ReplyDeleteGood thing my son is using the car today!
Julie
Beautiful pictures, but I am so glad that I am not there! Brr. Really glad I'm not there at this time of the year. But you probably have awesome autumns.
ReplyDeleteI understand working with the cycles of the season and I'm so glad you can do that. There's nothing like curling up under cats.
Deborah,
ReplyDeleteYou and I share the same concept of what a winter sport is! LOL
Blessed Be!
Blake Octavian Blair
Hi, Deborah - I have a question for you...I fully agree with your estimation about going with and working with the energies of the seasons...but how do you handle it when you would like nothing better than to stay in and write, write, write, yet "real life" (i.e. family, job, & etc.) demands you go against that introspection and get out there? How do you find the balance so you can make the most of the winter's energies, rather than feeling drained and stressed trying to meet outside demands in the face of seasonal introversion? I have "Seasonal Affective Disorder" (which, as far as I can tell, means that I am responding exactly the way I should be responding to everyday stressors and demands on my time and energy, in a season which stresses not putting forth so much of either). Do you have suggestions for this sort of situation?
ReplyDelete