The snow is falling and I am so grateful for the quiet blanket it offers. The silence it brings. The peace. The dark mornings and evenings are feeling so needed. They are right on time. The darkness helps me to hold space for my own mini hibernation - my own wintering - even if it's only for a few minutes at a time. They start to add up to the nourishment I need.
Our climate care book club has chosen to embrace the theme of rest this winter (blissfully!).
We are going to read books and articles, listen to podcasts, but most importantly share, practice and integrate lessons from nature on the theme of rest. How good does that feel? Rest, reflection, and retreat are the self care for climate care medicines I will be gently leaning into and welcoming with a warm hug as we head into the winter solstice and season on December 21st, 2023. Join us as we explore the theme of rest this winter.
Books & Resources to Support your wintering
Katherine May, in her book Wintering: The Power of Rest and Retreat in Difficult Times shares how uncomfortable and powerful these seasons of wintering can be. Krista Tippet interviewed Katherine on the On Being podcast:
"In so many stories and fables that shape us, cold and snow, the closing in of the light — these have deep psychological as much as physical reality. This is “wintering,” as the English writer Katherine May illuminates in her beautiful, meditative book of that title — at once a season of the natural world, a respite our bodies require, and a state of mind".
Tricia Hersey's book Rest as Resistance: A Manifesto and her interview on the We Can Do Hard Things podcast "No More Grind: How to Finally Rest with Tricia Hersey" will also provide support as we explore rest this winter. Tricia is the founder and creator of the The Nap Ministry and this book is:
"a battle cry, a guidebook, a map for a movement and a field guide for the weary and hopeful. It is rooted in spiritual energy and centered in Black liberation, womanism, somatics, and Afrofuturism...informed by her deep experience in theology, activism, and performance art."
There is an oracle deck: 50 practices to resist grind culture coming out in April 2024.
Kate Northrup refers to the energy of winter as the Fertile Void, a creative phase where we rest, hang out in the unknown, re-evaluate, lay fallow, pause. Similar energy to the new moon, and the phase of the menstrual cycle where we bleed: "When we're in the Fertile Void it often feels deeply uncomfortable, both because taking a break for contemplation, integration and rest isn't valued by our culture, but also because it takes pressure to create a diamond." Kate's Book Do Less, has been a long time favourite of mine and supports our practice of rethinking our connection time and the cycles of our body.
Finally, Kaitlin Curtis' new beautifully illustrated children's book Winter's Gifts, is about an Indigenous Potawatomi girl who finds awe in resting and waiting that winter teaches us and shares with her friend how a gift of gratitude can transform the way we see the world:
"Discover how winter teaches us to rest, remember and be thankful."
As an enrolled citizen of the Potawatomi Nation, Kaitlin Curtice writes on the intersections of Indigenous spirituality, identity, and decolonization.
Gathering, CONNECTING & SHARING
What became clear in our book club* call earlier in December is how important sharing time, space, and resources are. Connecting live reminds us that we are not alone, inspires cross-pollination of ideas, exploration of ideas, and sharing of our collective wisdom, learning and knowledge. It’s a beautiful and powerful time and we will continue to meet monthly online on the first Wednesday of the month at 8pm ET.
So mark your new 2024 calendars, we will be gathering live this winter to explore the theme of rest on the following Wednesday evenings at 8pm ET:
Wednesday January 3rd at 8pm,
Wednesday February 7th at 8pm, and
Wednesday March 6th at 8pm.
Join us on Slack! We have a few slack channels that are active and open for sharing reflections, new resources, playlists, content so that you can continue to engage in between our live gatherings. Invite to our Slack Group (available on an app or your computer) and some channels to check out:
*Note: I am using “book club” loosely as we acknowledged that this community has become so much more than a book club. Books are a touchstone for our conversations, they are a starting point, but our conversations go further and deeper than the books themselves (so if you don’t get to the books don’t worry!). It’s engaging on the theme that has been most supportive. We are a community of folks who care for the climate and for our communities and are curious about how to engage deeply and thoughtfully in ways that support our personal and collective well being.
light your fire
So I invite you to light your fire or candle, make some yummy tea, grab a cozy blanket and settle in for a season of rest with us. This is the nourishment that we need so that we can be resourced, ready and clear on how we can support planetary and climate justice in the months and year ahead.
Take good restful care, happy winter solstice and look forward to connecting again in 2024.
Megan xo
