New Years' Season - Imbolc
It’s the beginning of the year and there are a lot of feelings in the air. The holidays are over, inducing relief or dreariness; sometimes both. The New Year has rung in. Expectations are high and motivations stirred. Some will make their resolutions, while others’ scoff at the performance of this widespread tradition. Despite the best of hopes and intentions, this part of the year in my part of the world remains cold and dreary, with the potential to bring a winter’s most frigid days. Though the darkest nights have passed, we have a lot to endure before the spring. In past years, I have found it extremely difficult navigating this end of the winter season. Despite feeling relief for the holidays being over, I have always felt off or misaligned during this time. The rapid switch from repeated celebratory events, abundance, and consumption, to intense self-reflection and serious lifestyle changes is a shock to the system at best. This intense winter holiday pattern and the mental emot...