Winter is a Time for Rest
By: Beth Sage~Weber
Winter
With bare trees, browned grasses, shortened days and frigid nights, winter is a time for slower paces as all creation ceases from the busyness of summer and autumn’s harvest. It would do well for us to remember the wisdom of our brothers and sisters of the plant and animal Kingdom!
I think of stories I had read, as a child, that would describe how a Native American community would gather together in their long house or lodge on cold wintry nights. Evenings were usually spent sitting around a fire. Food was shared, the young would dance, and all would gather to hear the elders share stories, wisdom, and the wonderful traditions of their people. Crafting projects were brought out, tools and weapons repaired. With winter’s slower pace the activities were more leisure. I have a holy jealousy in my heart for a people that lived in Harmony not only with mother Earth’s changing seasons, but with each other as well. “To everything there is a season, a time for every purpose under heaven” (Ecclesiastes 3:1) and winter is the divine’s appointed time for rest.
Most Americans live oblivious to the Earth’s cycles. One day to the next, business as usual. It is no small wonder that viruses are so rampant in the winter season--the season was meant for rest! I realize there is little the average American can do--what with fuel and energy prices being so high, it is hardly a time to think of shortened work hours.
But we can take care of ourselves by listening to our body’s natural tendency to hibernate--we can get more sleep! We can keep our immune system strong by eating right and having a good intake of vitamin C and wonderful, immune boosting herbs such as garlic and Echinacea. And we can nurture the spirit as well, by setting aside special times for fellowship with others in our communities (neighborhood, spiritual,) with things such as pot-lucks, game nights, card parties, etc.!
Winter is indeed a time for rest, but Creator, in Infinite Wisdom, knew well that the Earth and every Kingdom of living beings needs that season of rest to balance Life’s perfect cycle. Spring needs the restful planes of Winter to be able to be Green and grow again. May we all likewise welcome this rest as a time for needed renewal!
On a clear night You Can See….On a clear Kansan night, a panoramic view of the starry heavens is enough to make one gasp with joy and praise. This is especially true during darkened moon phases as night sky is its darkest dark. Bright luminaries sparkle and dance and seem to be close enough to reach out and grasp!
My soul drinks in all that I can behold, and I praise the glory and wonder of God.
I like to think of my nocturnal marveling as an allegory of how I, we perceive and behold God. From where I am, and in my scope of vision, I take in all that is available to me, and my heart glorifies God (the One, Creator, Source, and Force of the Universe). From where you are, and what is available to your scope of vision, is what you have been given, and I trust you take great joy in what you behold as well!
I do not see the entire shining expanse of the Universe.
Neither do you.
But we have each been given enough to quicken our spirits and bring our hearts into the wildly, wonderfully, diverse presence of the One!
These were written me, Beth Sage~Weber, a witchy mama that lives in Kansas. I also self-produce a newsletter that is geared towards empowering woment to be their magickal, healing, intuitive selves:)
Beth and her first goat, a beautiful red Oberhasli
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