It’s Okay to Just Rest in January
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Embracing the Stillness of January
I hope this finds you well and safe. Here in Western Maine, we’re in the midst of a cold snap. I’ve had a few days off and spent them tending my woodstove and relaxing. My nursing school clinicals kick off this week, marking the start of what will be a very rigorous year. I’m feeling both nervous and excited. But as I look around at the quiet of this season, I’m reminded of something important: it’s okay to just rest in January.
The Beauty of Winter’s Quiet
Outside, winter is on full display in all its icy beauty. The sky alternates between a brilliant blue and layers of white and gray clouds. The friendly, puffy clouds of summer have been replaced by sweeping, gray-blue stretches, giving everything a quiet, muted tone. The trees in my gardens stand in solemn observance of the season. Yesterday, a cold wind blew through, making the trees creak and sway. Ice and snow packed tightly on the ground crunch underfoot. Everything feels slower, quieter, and still—a perfect reflection of what January invites us to embrace.
Why January Isn’t Always the Best Time for Resolutions
I’ve always marveled at people who dive headfirst into new routines at the start of the year. The energy to set ambitious resolutions, to jump straight into productivity, can feel at odds with the rhythm of winter. For me, this time of year feels more like an opportunity to refresh my spaces, tidy up, and start thinking about the coming growing season—but not to dive into action just yet. January calls for something different: rest and reflection.
The Influence of Capitalism on New Year’s Resolutions
The push for New Year’s resolutions often feels tied to the demands of capitalism. We’re encouraged to "optimize" ourselves—whether through gym memberships, productivity planners, or a slew of other purchases aimed at self-improvement. But what if we stepped back and instead tuned into the natural rhythms of the Wheel of the Year? Winter is a season of stillness and recovery, not a time for forcing ourselves into constant action. If resolutions don’t resonate with you, consider an alternative: setting intentions. Unlike rigid goals, intentions are fluid and allow space for growth over time. I find journaling to be one of the best ways to hone in on what I want to be, do, and have in life. This design is one of my favorites.
The Wheel of the Year and the Restful Energy of Winter
The lead-up to Imbolc, the midway point between winter solstice and spring equinox, reminds us that we are still in the heart of winter. While the days are slowly growing longer, this is a season of quiet preparation, of gathering strength for what’s to come. Even with work and school on my plate, I try to honor this time as a season of rest as much as I can.
Alternatives to Resolutions: Setting Intentions
There’s so much pressure in our culture to hit the ground running at the start of a new year. We’re encouraged to set goals, make plans, and start fresh. And while that works for some, it’s okay if January feels more like a time to pause and breathe. Resting isn’t laziness; it’s a necessary part of the cycle. It’s how we recharge so we can meet the demands of spring when it arrives. Winter gives us permission to slow down, reflect, and dream. The Year of the Witch by Temperance Alden is a great read for ideas on how to approach the calendar year through the lens of seasonality and the Wheel of the Year.
Honor the Season in Your Own Way
So if you’ve been feeling the weight of expectations to "do more" or "be better" right now, give yourself permission to let those pressures go. Rest is a gift we can give ourselves—and it’s one that aligns perfectly with the season.
What does January and midwinter look like for you? Are you leaning into the stillness, or are you feeling pulled to action? Wherever you find yourself, know that it’s okay to honor this time in a way that feels right for you.
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Phenology - The Study of Seasonal Changes
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Hello Friends. I recently discovered how to make a Phenology Wheel and thought this is something that many of you would also enjoy. If you aren’t familiar with phenology, it is the study of seasonal changes in plants, animals, and weather patterns. You may have done some version of a phenology wheel in elementary school. Studying when flowers bloom, birds migrate, or when the first frost arrives, is an easy way to connect with nature and the season at hand. It is also a good way to quiet your mind and be in the present moment.
I was not able to find any open source photos of a completed phenology wheel and I didn’t want to wait until I had completed one. So, I put together some examples over on Pinterest instead. Just remember, this isn’t an exercise only for people who are considered artistic. Like journaling or keeping a grimoire, taking the time each day to work on a phenology wheel is it is another way for you to connect with your inner spirit and the world around you.
If you need a visual before you get to the how-to, check out the examples on Pinterest and then be sure to come back and grab your free template at the bottom of this post.
What Is Phenology?
Phenology is the science of tracking the timing of natural events. It focuses on phenomena like:
The first appearance of migratory birds in spring.
The budding and flowering of plants.
The changing colors of leaves in autumn.
Seasonal weather patterns, like the first snowfall or the warmest day of summer.
I was introduced to this concept quite by accident. I just happened to watch this video from a YouTube channel called Marion’s World. She uses watercolors and pen to create absolutely gorgeous phenology wheels.
A Phenology Wheel is a circular chart divided into segments—typically days, weeks, or months—where you record your observations of seasonal changes. This tool provides:
A Visual Calendar: See how nature’s patterns evolve over the year.
Mindful Practice: Spending a few moments each day observing your environment connects you deeply with the present moment.
Seasonal Insight: Align your rituals, goals, and practices with nature’s actual rhythms, enhancing the meaning behind each Wheel of the Year festival.
A Creative Outlet: Designing and filling in a Phenology Wheel is an artistic and meditative process.
How to Use a Phenology Wheel
Start Small: Use a single month or season to familiarize yourself with tracking natural events.
Observe Daily: Spend time outside and note changes in your environment. What do you see, hear, or feel?
Record Your Observations: Jot down details like blooming flowers, animal activity, or temperature changes in each segment.
Reflect and Connect: Compare your notes to the corresponding festival on the Wheel of the Year. For example, are there signs of new life during Imbolc, or is the harvest abundant near Lughnasadh?
Download Your Free Phenology Wheel Template
To help you get started, I’ve created a free Phenology Wheel template for you to print and use. This wheel is divided into 32 sections, perfect for tracking daily observations over one month.
Click here to download your free printable Phenology Wheel template.
Disclaimer - this template is designed for standard US letter size, making it kind of small. If you really want to add lots of detail or have plenty of room to work, you could create your own phenology wheel on bigger art paper.
Here is a list of supplies that would be helpful to make your own phenology wheel:
Oversized artist pad with watercolor paper (good for painting, drawing and writing)
Compass - According to my high school geometry teacher it is physically impossible to draw a perfect circle by hand. If, like me, you struggle with geometry and attention to detail, a compass and ruler will be your best friend for this project. A phrenology wheel is 360 degrees with 32 wedges, each of which should be 11.25 degrees apart.
Let me know if you decide to try making your own phenology wheel. I’d love to see what you are studying in your corner of the world.
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The content provided above was developed in collaboration with ChatGPT, an AI language model by OpenAI. The initial ideas and concepts for the piece were provided by me, and ChatGPT assisted in organizing, formatting, and refining these ideas into the final written post. While the AI contributed to the structure and clarity of the content, the core ideas and creative direction remain my own.
How to Host a Dumb Supper
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Often associated with Samhain or Halloween, a "Dumb Supper" is an old tradition with European roots. It involves setting a place at the dinner table for the spirits of the deceased and observing a silent (aka Dumb) meal in their honor. A Dumb Supper can be a solo activity or you can invite friends and family to join. A Dumb Supper is intended to be a celebration of life, similar to the idea of Day of the Dead, when people honor their loved ones who have passed on with festivities and special foods. A Dumb Supper is an easy and simple ritual to do at home, as part of your Wheel of the Year journey.
The History of a “Dumb Supper”
There are a few theories of where and when the concept of a Dumb Supper originated. Some credit the Dumb Supper as an 19th century Appalachian tradition, while others claim it was born out of British love traditions, dating as far back as the 17th century. Early versions were usually centered around young women who would host a “Dumb Supper” as a way to find out who they would marry. There were various customs around hosting a Dumb Supper, including serving everything backwards and eating the meal at midnight.
This association between Halloween and love divination continued into the early 20th century. It was common to send a loved one a Halloween card, in the same way we might send Valentine’s Day cards today. The appeal of a Dumb Supper at Halloween also fits into the Victorian/Edwardian fascination with the occult that swept through Western Europe and the United States at the turn of the 20th century.
Dumb Supper’s eventually faded away as a tradition during the mid-20th century. More recently the custom as been revived by neo pagans as part of Samhain celebrations. Rather than a focus on love divination, the modern Dumb Supper is more in spirit of the Day of the Dead Celebrations of Latin America. Spirits of loved ones who have passed on are invited to the dinner, as a way to honor them and celebrate their life.
How to Host a Dumb Supper
Like many Wheel of the Year traditions, there is no right or wrong way to host a dumb supper. It can be a solo activity or you can host a gathering of friends and family to participate. It can be as simple or as elaborate as you wish to make it.
Here is a general guide for hosting a simple Dumb Supper that doesn’t require a lot of prep time or special items.
Decide on a date for your Dumb Supper. Traditionally, it's held on Halloween night or during the Samhain festival. Choose a quiet, dimly lit location, such as your dining room or outdoors in a peaceful garden. Arrange a table with a single place setting for each spirit you wish to invite. Place a candle at each setting.
Invite the spirits you wish to communicate with. You can do this through a simple spoken invitation or by writing their names on slips of paper and placing them under the appropriate plates.
Cook a simple meal with foods that were meaningful to your deceased loved ones or are associated with the season, such as apples, bread, and root vegetables. This book has some great Samhain-inspired recipes.
Before starting the meal, invite the spirits to join you in your own words or with a traditional invocation. Express your love and respect for them and invite them to communicate with you if they wish.
Sit down at the table and start the meal. Serve each guest, whether in person or in spirit. Eat in silence and contemplate the memories and presence of the spirits you've invited.
After the meal, leave the room. If there are more than one person at the Dumb Supper, each person should leave the room one at a time.
Let the candle burn itself out. (But also keep an eye on it, for safety).
References & Recommended Reading
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