Winter Blues

In Wiccan traditions, the winter is a time for rest and relaxation.  In everyday life, people tend to get the winter blues or go into a rut.  There are so many reasons to stay inside a warm cozy home and veg out.  Wiccan beliefs show that the winter is when you slow down your usual busy craze and notice how the seasons change and appreciate it.  There are different foods that the Wiccan's favor in this season, along with scents and things to do.  Relaxing and resting does not always mean sleeping the day away and eating comfort food.  You can trade in your winter blues for some easy Wiccan tips on the right way to rest.  After the holidays zip by, there doesn't seem like much to do other than go back to daily life.  In Wicca, Christmas is considered Yule.  Yule, which is paired with other holidays in the winter, tends to go until the spring brings new life.  You can celebrate Yule and its traditions to bring yourself out of that winter rut.  Even though, Yule is a merry time and is all about holiday festivities, you do not need to act as if it were Christmas every day until flowers start to pop up.  There are some subtle ways to not let yourself get bogged down in a blanket everyday on the couch.  Once in a while, it is nice to cuddle up.  Yule is about rebirth and celebrating change.  Making plans for the future and bringing in the new year, help the excitment of Yule.  However, after January kicks off, the new year buzz will fade.  You can keep positive energy around with herbs, foods, and stuff to do.


Herbs that are good for keeping the dullness out of winter are bayberry, evergreen, oak, pine, sage, yellow cedar, and cinnamon.  Having candles or any time of scent from these herbs can add to the positive, fresh feeling that disapates with the winter chill.


Everyone loves to eat comfort food and relax, but some people hate themselves for it later.  You can eat some yummy food without the total veg out experience and side effects of the future.  Some good foods to eat in this season are things like turkey, cookies, caraway cakes, fruits, nuts, pork, and ginger tea.  You don't have to eat turkey until you pass out.  Make a nice turkey wrap or sandwich for lunch and treat yourself to a cookie once in a while.  Also, drinking some tea instead of coffee can add a nice change to your day.  Some recipes will be at the end of the blog.


Also adding some pep to your step with clothing and accessories can make that winter rut of hoodies and sweats disappear.  Adding some festive and season appropriate colors can make you feel fresh and new.  Colors like red, deep green, gold, silver, white, and yellow can make the dull days pop.  Adding some stones in your jewerly rotation can also change your attitude.  Good stones to wear in the winter are rubies, bloodstones, garnets, emeralds, diamonds, and amethysts.


Curling up on the couch for a day of movies and junk food is not all bad.  But doing the same things everyday and feeling the cold depression that winter brings is not helped by doing nothing.  Starting bonfires with friends is a good way to kick the winter blues.  It's cozy and social at the same time.  Also, sitting around the house can make you just want to nap.  Try reading a favorite book or writing.  Making crafts or something different can make you feel new again as well.  There are so many things that can be done in the winter to kick that blah feeling.

English Caraway Cake

-1 tablespoon butter, softened

-1/2 cup butter, softened

-2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour

-1 teaspoon baking powder

-salt to taste

-3/4 cup white sugar

-1 tablespoon caraway seed

-1 egg

-1/2 cup milk

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F ( 175 degrees C). Grease and flour the bottom and sides of an 8 inch round cake pan with 1 tablespoon softened butter or margarine.
2. Sift together flour, salt, and baking powder.
3. Cream 1/2 cup butter or margarine and sugar together. Mix in caraway seeds and egg. Add flour mixture and milk, beating well. Pour batter into prepared cake pan.
4. Bake for about 45 minutes, or until a knife inserted into the center comes out clean. Cool.

 

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