As the days get shorter and evenings longer, winter blues could slowly making its way into our lives.
The winter season is normally associated with doom and gloom but it doesn’t have to be!
There are several cultures where winter is celebrated. In fact, many of our common winter symbols and traditions are based on comforting historic traditions and stories.
If we can bring that positivity into this upcoming season then we are setting ourselves up for a season of excitement, peace and tranquility despite the colder temperatures. ,
Use the meanings and activity suggestions of each these 7 winter symbol and ancient traditions to set yourself up this winter season.
1. Christmas Tree
Focus: Vitality, Manifestation, Exchange of gifts, Eternal life, Embracing of holiday traditions, Nature & the role of the changing seasons
Activity: Winter wonderland party, Winter BBQ, Visit Christmas Tree Farm
In many ancient cultures ( such as- Greeks, Egyptians, Germanic, Romans) trees symbolized eternal life and fertility and decorating was well known practice.
In fact, the evergreen tree was associated with magic and vitality ( due to its capacity to hold needles year long).
To celebrate the Feast of Adam & Eve ( December 24th) Western Germans began to decorate trees and by the mid-1800s it became a popular tradition across Europe and America.
2. Oshiroibaba
- Focus: Gratitude, Giving back, Service, Generosity, Patience, Resilience
- Activity : Volunteer, Put together a Christmas Basket ( example – Hot Chocolate ingredients) for a friend, Knit blankets / hats / etc to donate to charities, Be an Elf (answering kids letter from Santa), Top 7 Christmas Charity Organizations That Help Low Income Families
Oshiroibaba “ old goddess of white face powder” is a popular winter Japanese mythology story. They would wear old and torn kimonos that would come down from the mountains on extremely cold winter nights and pass out drinks to anyone who needed warmth.
This winter tale of Oshiriobaba reminds us to give back during this colder season.
In fact, studies support several positive mental and physical health benefits to giving back, making it the perfect way to combat winter blues.
- Reducing depression
- Lowering blood pressure
- Strengthening relationships
- Increased self-esteem
- Sense of purpose
3. Mistletoe
Focus : Love, Good Fortune, Renewal
Activity: Get creative with a mistletoe ornament around your space! DIY mistletoe project with family / friends, schedule quality vs quantity time, leave love notes around the house,
The Druids ( high ranking Ancient Celtics members) believed that mistetoes had mystical powers that would bring love and good fortunes.
Having a mistletoe around your house is a reminder to stay close to our loved ones and a physical manifestation of good fortune and hope!
4. StoryTelling
“We are all storytellers. We all live in a network of stories. There isn’t a stronger connection between people than storytelling.”
Jimmy Neil Smith
Focus: Learning, Communication, Connecting on a deeper level, Cultural understanding
Activity: Look into family history and traditions, discussions with family / friends about different memories
Did you know storytelling was a common social gathering activity during winter time throughout the world?
- Celtic Brittany- storytelling starts in November- December where families and neighborhoods gathered around a fire, telling stories late into the dark hours of the winter night
- Early America – many Puritan groups were banned from telling stories but these restrictions relaxed during winter time
- Native American- Native American Trickster Stories were popular among many tribes & were believed to hurry up spring time. Coyote stories only were allowed to be told during winter
5. Candles and Fire
Hope is being able to see that there is light despite all of the darkness.
Desmond Tutu
Focus: Hope, Return of warmer & brighter days, Security,
Activities: Candle Ritual, Marshmallow roasting, Snow candles,
If the cold weather makes you feel down, it may help to know that lighting a candle and fire gives us hope that there are warmer and longer days ahead.
Sometimes all we need is a little reminder that everything is temporary and if you are really battling the winter blues it can be comforting to reflect on this.
There’s a historical significance to this as well- the candles and fire were practiced by the Romans during their midwinter festival to celebrate “ Saturn” and later taken on by Christians (during Advent) and Jews ( Hanukkah).
6. Juul Log
- Focus: Protection, Abundance, High energy, Releasing what no longer serves you
- Activity: Gratitude letters / journal, Cleansing the energy of your home,Observe the times you feel most & least energized during the day, list 3-5 boundaries & how you can stick to them, Essential oils for energy
Juul Logs were a common practice in Norse mythology to celebrate the Winter Solstice, “ Thor” also considered the god of thunder. The logs were seen as a source of protection and brought fertility to the soil.
Today we can use this to our advantage by focusing on protecting our energy and cultivating an abundance mindset, especially during a period where the days are shorter and nights longer.
The The Juul Log traidtion shows us that winter can be a season of rebirth and a time to honor life in its fullness.
7. Fir, Pines, and Holly Plants
Focus: Welcoming environment, sharing
Activity: Winter Garden, Magical sow garden
Who says that winter has to be dead and lifeless? And you definitely don’t have to wait until spring to keep a thriving and vibrant garden. In fact, one of the most popular Christmas flowers, the poinsettia, has it’s own celebratory day on December 12th. Here’s a list of the easiest flowers to grow during winter time.
What does flowers have to do with winter blues?
Flowers have a long-term positive effect on moods.
Study participants reported feeling less depressed, anxious and agitated after receiving flowers, and demonstrated a higher sense of enjoyment and life satisfaction.
Until next time,