The SAcred Pause
Preparing for the Wintering of Life
For the past 8 or more years, I guess really as I began to embrace the journey of Menopause following my hysterectomy at the age of 40, I began to recognise the deepening journey of slowing down in the season of Winter. As the days grow shorter and the air crispens, we’re invited to slow down and turn inward, preparing for what we call “wintering.”
When I created the community, I began to share more of the processes that have worked for me and that I have honed over the many moons, and 5 years on I see how we cherish this seasonal shift as a sacred pause - a deliberate retreat to nurture ourselves, shed what no longer serves, and attune to a quieter rhythm. Wintering isn’t just about the season; it’s a mindful journey and an invitation to cultivate self-care on a deeper level.
What is Wintering?
Wintering is more than just enduring the colder months. It’s a sacred acknowledgment of life’s natural cycles. Just as trees withdraw their energy inward, wintering calls us to do the same. It’s a time for rest, reflection, and renewal - a chance to release the burdens of the past year and make space for new growth.
Wintering can also be a metaphor for life’s challenging seasons: times of loss, transition, or personal reflection. When we honour this season, both externally and internally, we give ourselves permission to slow down, heal, and emerge stronger and more grounded.
Our ancestors viewed winter as a sacred time of rest and reflection, adapting to nature’s rhythm rather than resisting it. As the days grew shorter and colder, they gathered close to the hearth, sharing stories and tending to the fire that symbolised warmth, sustenance, and community.
With limited resources, they practiced simplicity, savouring stored foods and preparing hearty meals that nourished both body and spirit. Winter was a season for turning inward, honouring cycles of life, and connecting deeply with family and tradition. By embracing this slower pace, they found renewal in rest, trusting that spring’s energy would return in due time.
Why Embrace Wintering?
Embracing a sacred pause through wintering is essential to our well-being. Here’s why this season is such a valuable opportunity:
Renewal and Reflection: Wintering offers us a moment to look back, honour our journey, and celebrate growth. By reflecting on our experiences, we can make peace with them, opening space for the future.
Deep Rest: Wintering invites us to embrace rest as an act of self-love. Slowing down allows our bodies, minds, and spirits to recuperate.
Connection to Self: This time of quiet invites us to reconnect with our inner selves, nurturing old dreams or exploring new ones. By turning inward, we deepen our understanding of who we are.
Preparation for Growth: Just as nature prepares for spring beneath the surface, wintering allows us to prepare for future growth.
Tips for Embracing Wintering
Create a Daily Ritual: Dedicate a few minutes each day to a grounding practice like meditation, journaling, or sitting in silence. A ritual helps attune us to the slower rhythm of winter.
Set Boundaries Around Rest: Honour rest as non-negotiable. Let go of any expectations that don’t align with this period of life. Rest is your birthright this season.
Embrace Reflection: Spend time journaling about what you want to release and what you want to invite into your life. Writing letters of gratitude or self-compassion can bring clarity and closure.
Reconnect with Nature: Winter holds a quiet beauty. Spend time outside, letting the calm and silence remind you of the resilience found in simplicity.
Listen to Your Body: This is the season to honour your physical needs, whether that’s eating warming foods, practicing gentle movement, or getting extra sleep.
Lean Into Community: Winter can feel isolating. Connecting with others who understand the call of wintering can be deeply nourishing.
Create a Wintering Altar
A wintering altar can serve as a sacred space that reflects the season’s energy. Choose a corner of your home or a small table to hold items that represent winter’s spirit of renewal, rest, and reflection.
Here are some ideas for your wintering altar:
Candles: Representing warmth and inner light, candles are central to a wintering altar. Choose colours like white, blue, or deep burgundy to evoke winter’s mood.
Evergreen Sprigs: Bring in a touch of nature with evergreen branches, pinecones, or holly to symbolise endurance and vitality during winter’s quiet months.
Crystals: Select grounding stones like smoky quartz, amethyst, or black tourmaline to invite calm and protection.
Journal or Special Book: Place a journal or book on your altar to encourage daily reflections or readings that support your wintering journey.
Personal Mementos: Include objects that hold special meaning or represent something you want to release or welcome. These mementos make the altar uniquely yours.
Spend time at your altar each day, lighting a candle or setting an intention, as you connect to the energy of wintering.
A Warming Winter Drink Recipe: Spiced Ginger & Turmeric Latte
As the temperature drops, warming drinks are perfect for supporting our health and comfort. This Spiced Ginger & Turmeric Latte is grounding, anti-inflammatory, and full of warming spices to help you feel cozy and nourished.
Ingredients:
1 cup unsweetened almond or oat milk
1/2 teaspoon ground turmeric (or 1-inch fresh turmeric, grated)
1/2 teaspoon ground ginger (or 1-inch fresh ginger, grated)
1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
A pinch of black pepper (to enhance turmeric’s benefits)
1 teaspoon honey or maple syrup (optional, to taste)
Instructions:
In a small saucepan, heat the milk over low-medium heat.
Add turmeric, ginger, cinnamon, and black pepper, stirring well.
Simmer gently for 3-5 minutes, stirring occasionally. Be careful not to let it boil.
Remove from heat and strain if you used fresh turmeric or ginger.
Sweeten with honey or maple syrup, if desired.
Pour into your favourite mug and enjoy this nourishing, warming drink!
This latte is wonderful to sip during a reflective moment by your altar, offering both warmth and healing as you embrace wintering.
Wintering as a Sacred Journey
Wintering invites us to honour our inner cycles. It’s not about retreating in defeat but rather gathering strength for the seasons ahead. In Sacred Sister, we celebrate wintering as a powerful opportunity for healing, resting, and preparing for renewal.
Join Us for our online Sacred Pause: A Wintering Journey
If you’re ready to embrace this sacred pause, we invite you to join our “Sacred Pause Wintering Journey.” Designed to guide you through the season with practices, reflections, and community support, this journey will nurture your inner wintering. Together, we’ll create a space for rest, release, and the unfolding of our truest selves.
Winter doesn’t have to be endured alone. Embrace wintering in the company of like-hearted sisters as we support each other in this beautiful season of renewal.
