Slow Living and The Wheel of the Year Part One: Samhain & Yule
One of the reasons I think I’m drawn to the Wheel of the Year is because it dovetails nicely with the concept of slow living and reconnecting with nature. Despite the idea that modern life is largely removed from nature, the cadence of daily life is often tethered to the season. Every six weeks the WOTY celebrates a turn in the seasons and offers a chance to pause, reflect and reconnect with nature and our inner self.
Slow Living is a philosophy that can be adopted to help you live more intentionally and in the present moment. Slow living is often associated with slow money, slow food, sustainability and environmental stewardship. It is a chance to hop off the daily grind and consider why we do the things we do, rather than just letting the hustle of everyday life move us along.
The tenants of slow living vary but generally include:
Being present
Staying connected
Appreciating nature and practicing good stewardship
Living with intention and purpose
Identifying what fulfills you and how we want to spend your day
Slow Living and the Wheel of the Year
The Wheel of the Year aligns with nature and the seasons, piecing together ancient cultural and spiritual beliefs and customers that still have value today. Like mainstream religion, the Wheel of the Year embraces faith in the unseen and recognizes the interwoven fabric of nature and humanity. Following the Wheel of the Year can help dismantle the idea that modern society is somehow no longer tethered to nature. No matter if you live in a cabin in the woods or an apartment in the city, the changing of the seasons ushers in periods of rest, celebration and activity.
The Wheel of the Year is an invitation to pause and reflect and set intentions. It is an opportunity to reconnect with nature; notice the subtle differences in the light during a season, the lengthening or shortening of the days. It is a chance to celebrate life’s harvests -both literally and figuratively, gathering with clothes to share and connect.
Samhain & Slow Living
Samhain marks the start of a new Wheel of the Year. Celtic is for Summer’s End, Samhain is the last harvest of summer. It is one of the four fire festivals, and celebrations often include bonfires and remembering loved ones' past.
Because Samhain marks the end of the harvest and the beginning of winter, it’s an excellent time to slow down and consider the coming year. Nature is entering a long period of rest and rejuvenation. Following that cue, the season of Samhain is a good time to pause and reflect. How was the past year? What would you like to accomplish moving forward? How do you want to spend your time? Take this time to think about your goals, both short and long term, as well as your why behind them.
Yule & Slow Living
Yule is the celebration of the winter solstice and the shortest day of the year. Ancient cultures celebrated the return of the Sun King and the longer days he brought with him. This theme is echoed in Christian beliefs of Jesus’s birth as the savior {i.e. light} of mankind.
Yule is a time to celebrate and to be present with loved ones. Because Yule happens at the height of the traditional Christmas season, it is a perfect time to integrate some slow living into your life and take back your celebration from the claws of excessive consumer spending. Slow your money down by buying locally and spending less. Explore thrift stores and second hand shops for gifts. If you are crafty and have the time, make some gifts. Consider giving functional gifts like food, rather than material things that people may not need. Or gift experiences instead of things. If you do purchase new items, consider buying as much as possible from local businesses rather than large retailers. The small business owners will appreciate your sale much more than Amazon will.
And while gifts are nice, to really slow down during the season, focus on being with friends and family. Game nights, movie nights and family dinners are inexpensive and easy ways to celebrate, plus those memories will likely outlast and material gift.
Check out the Mabon House Yule Celebration board on Pinterest for more inspiration
