I normally post on Sundays or Mondays but was a bit behind with this post, so it's on a Tuesday instead. :)
Winter is starting or has already started, depending on whether you go by the meterological or astronomical start. Earlier this year I wrote two posts about moving into the next season,. Easing into Spring and Easing into Autumn. I didn't write one for summer this year but last year I did a post called Shifting into Summer, so this post will be the seasonal equivalent of that one. :)
Note: If summer is starting where you are, you can see the Shifting into Summer post here (or click on the link above): https://livingseasonal.blogspot.com/2023/06/shifting-into-summer.html
As I've mentioned before, I find moving from winter into spring an easier transition than going from summer into autumn, because summer is my favourite season. I feel sad to see it ending and I find the colder weather of autumn and winter depressing.
And I find the time of year when we move from autumn into winter quite sad because autumn is a beautiful time with all the leaves changing and different colours. Also, it's not too cold and bleak yet. But although winter is my least favourite season there are still good things about it, such as Yule/the Winter Solstice and Christmas, and "cosy vibes"!
Back in 2017 I wrote a post called Getting Ready for Winter. You can see it here: https://livingseasonal.blogspot.com/2017/12/getting-ready-for-winter.html
In that post I mentioned that there are two "official" starts to winter- 1st December and around 20th December, which is the day of the Winter Solstice. The exact date varies each year.
The Winter Solstice is also known as Yule in
pagan circles and celebrated as a seasonal festival. This year it's on
Saturday 21st December. I've written several posts about Yule. While I'm no longer writing in-depth posts with celebration ideas, I thought I would include a section at the bottom of this post with links for Yule inspiration . Of course, it's also not long till Christmas now, so I'll share some posts about that too. :)
While some years autumn can linger, it felt like winter was beginning in late November when the UK had quite a lot of snow. We didn't get any in Sussex (at least not in my area) but it was really cold and raining a lot. It's more likely to snow in January and February here, so it's not that common to get a lot in November.
More snow is forecast for just before Christmas. I don't think there's anything for Sussex but we'll see! I think the last time we actually had a "white Christmas" was when I was about 7 and I'm now 40, lol. And the last time we had any significant amount of snow in my area of Sussex was early 2018! So far, the coldest it's been is 4C (39F) during the day and -1C (30F) at night. It's a bit warmer at the moment though, 8C (45F) today.
Most of the leaves have fallen off the trees now but there are still a few left. The picture at the top of the page was taken in mid-November when more leaves were starting to fall. You can see a picture of a tree in the same in September (when the leaves were just stating to turn) in my Easing into Autumn post.
Now here is some inspiration for the winter season. :)
Here are a few of my winter themed posts:
Winter Round-up + Inspiration: https://livingseasonal.blogspot.com/2018/12/winter-round-up-inspiration.html
More Winter Inspiration + Winter Tag: https://livingseasonal.blogspot.com/2019/12/more-winter-inspiration-winter-tag.html
Autumn 2023 Photos + Winter Links: https://livingseasonal.blogspot.com/2023/12/autumn-2023-photos-winter-links.html
And some links from other people:
Finding Joy In The Darker Months Of The Year (Lydia Millen): https://lydiaelisemillen.com/a-millen-gordon-guide-to-finding-joy-in-the-darker-months-of-the-year/
Finding Magic in the Darkness of Winter (YR Studio): https://yrstudio.co.uk/blogs/adriana-tudorache-blog/embrace-winter-cosy-living-tips
Cozy & Simple Old-Fashioned Hobbies: https://www.thishouseofdreams.com/cozy-simple-old-fashioned-winter-hobbies/
Post about how to support winter wellness: https://thesmallestlight.co.uk/4-ways-to-support-winter-wellness/
I especially like the posts from Lydia Millen (1st link) and Adriana Turoche of YR Studio (2nd link), about finding joy and magic during winter and the darker months. We're currently in the darkest time of the year as we move towards Yule/the Winter Solstice (which will be the shortest day). And although afterwards it will gradually be getting lighter and the days getting longer again, it will take a while to be really noticeable.
Plus, January and February can often be the coldest months (at least in the UK). Winter can seem to drag out, especially without the excitement and "upliftment" of Christmas. So, I like to come across posts that help me to think of this season in a more positive way. :)
Everybody seems to be talking about the "Winter Arc" this year! Apparently, it started on TikTok and was popularised by TikToker Carly Berges. The idea behind it is basically getting a head start on your goals and resolutions. Traditionally, the new year/January is when people make New Year's resolutions and get really focused on their goals for their year ahead. And autumn and winter are seen as more of a time for slowing down and just enjoying the holiday season.
So, with the Winter Arc you get started in the last 90 days of the year to recommit to your goals (or start new ones) and "upgrade your life" by the start of the next year. In the past I've written about setting goals, intentions and making resolutions over on my self-help/spiritual blog Falling Petals. I normally do an end of year post there. You can read 2023's here: https://fallingpetalsuk.blogspot.com/2023/12/letting-go-of-2023.html
While I like the idea of setting goals, intentions etc. I think that it's best not to push yourself or put too much pressure on yourself (unless it's what you need to really move forward and will help more than not).
On the other hand, I do find the concept of Winter Arc inspiring, so I thought I'd share it here. It started around 1st October but although we only have a few weeks left of the year, you can still begin it now. And winter is only starting now, so you could count from 1st December to 1st March as your winter arc, or count it from Yule/the Winter Solstice later this to Oestara/Ostara/the Spring Equinox in March.
As with making resolutions and setting goals in general, I think you can do it whenever you like. Whenever you feel inspired to. :)
If you're interested in starting your own Winter Arc, here are some links with more info:
Carly's video: https://www.tiktok.com/@carlyupgraded/video/7420220531720441118
Winter Arc article from The Everygirl: https://theeverygirl.com/winter-arc-challenge-for-building-habits/
MAXIMIZE your winter arc transformation to level-up your life in 2025 (video from Mae Alice Suzuki): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Uult3J4Qm7A
ULTIMATE GUIDE TO LEVEL UP 2025 | winter arc tips (video by Tam Kaur): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OUOu_-DXQa0
Also, Kristi from the YouTube channel KristiDoingThings has an alternative winter arc soft life approach, which involves slowing down and enjoying the holiday season while also working on your goals: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6N4sMQt_97s
Yule/Christmas
Finally, here are some links with inspiration for both Yule and Christmas! :)
Yule:
Yule Round-up + Yule/Christmas Baking (my 2021 round-up of previous Yule posts on the blog, plus ideas for baking for Yule and/or Christmas): https://livingseasonal.blogspot.com/2021/12/yule-round-up-yulechristmas-baking.html
Happy Yule! (my most recent Yule celebraton ideas post): https://livingseasonal.blogspot.com/2022/12/happy-yule.html
13 rituals to celebrate the Winter Solstice/Yule: https://www.themoonschool.org/ritual/winter-solstice-rituals-celebrate-yule/
Seasonal Living For The Yule/Winter Solstice Season (podcast about the astrology of this season from Afura Nerfertiti/The Writing Witch): https://writingwitch.com/2024/11/24/seasonal-living-for-the-yule/
Witchy Things to Do During Yule: https://witchymagicks.com/witchy-things-to-do-during-yule/
Yule for the Solitary Witch: https://bryjaimea.com/witchcraft/wheel-year-festivals/yule-for-the-solitary-witch/
Winter Solstice Recipes: https://www.lifeslittlesweets.com/winter-solstice-recipes/
More Winter Solstice recipes (includes vegetarian options): https://schisandraandbergamot.com/winter-solstice-recipes/
Christmas:
Christmas Round-up 3 (the most recent Christmas round-up on my entertainment blog Star Sparkle Blog): https://starsparklex.blogspot.com/2023/12/christmas-round-up-3.html
Post about medieval Christmas traditions: https://thecreativeadventurer.com/16-surprising-medieval-traditions-to-add-to-your-christmas-celebrations/
My 2021 Yule round-up which also has baking recipes for Christmas: https://livingseasonal.blogspot.com/2021/12/yule-round-up-yulechristmas-baking.html
25 Days of Christmas Treats: https://mixandmatchmama.com/2024/12/25-days-of-christmas-treats-8/
Vegan Christmas Desserts: https://www.rainbownourishments.com/vegan-christmas-desserts/
Hope you found some inspiration for winter and for celebrating Yule and/or Christmas! :) How do you feel as winter starts? (Or how do you feel as summer starts?) Wishing everyone a lovely start to the season! :)
Photos: Tree in Shoreham-by-sea. Tesco Holmbush's Christmas tree. Moonsparkle 2024.
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