This week one of our families shared their beautiful tradition of celebrating Winter Solstice on December 21st. Celebrating the seasonal changes and embracing winter seems like a given in an outdoor school but like everything else, it needs intentionality and awareness. Learning and playing outside everyday intrinsically makes us more aware of the changes occuring around us throughout the seasons. However, marking these larger milestones must come with care, devotion and thought- as does anything important. All relationships require these points of connection.
Tum’xuytl’ (the Hul’q’umi’num word for winter) begs us to seek different ways of spending our days. We are called to embrace colder temperatures, a lot of rain if you live on the West Coast, the beauty of snow if and when it arrives, and notice the plant and animal cycles around us. It also pokes us to re-consider our indoor time- a longer time in slumber, more home cooking of warming foods, and perhaps time to learn or practice hobbies that require time and patience.
Let us welcome winter with open arms and be in and with winter as we finish 2023 and head into 2024. We wish you all slow and unscheduled time of being together and finding space for appreciating our fortunate peaceful community.
with affection,
Emily
PS For more info on the Winter Solstice check out https://www.britannica.com/science/winter-solstice