In the ancient teachings of my Irish motherland we are entering the Celtic New Year. It is the Dark time, cold time, leaves and plants fall to earth, birds migrate, and animals hibernate.
In terms of the Celtic circular calendar, we are circling into the Crone Time, the Wise Elder within. At the first signs of cold we usually grumble and old fears arise of long nights, and cold days ahead. A voice somewhere inside asks, “how will I survive another winter?”
Celtic wisdom would remind us that within this circle of time lays the seeds of our childhood and indeed of the very moment of our birth. This awareness is rooted at the cellular level, deep in our bones. In other words, it co-exists with the ‘death time’ of winter.
Take time now as Thanksgiving approaches to take stock of how you’ve cared for yourself over the circle of the year. Are there some ways you could nurture yourself going into the Dark days?
Celtic wisdom would say look to how nature is going quiet and still, take time to pray, meditate or write a journal, get more sleep, eat heartily. Give thanks to yourself for what you’ve created through all the stages of your life, let go of regrets and let them compost like the leaves into the Earth.
Our culture today glorifies youth and shuns aging. These messages engender self-doubt, even self-loathing.
The Wise Elder within would remind us to look deep into the wise one’s eyes and allow the cloak of wisdom to be wrapped around your shoulders. Take refuge and warmth from the wise one within.
This is Nadiya Nottingham wishing you blessings of Winter’s wisdom.
