Join me for A Deep December🌲🦌
Mini-letters throughout December for those of us longing for a slow holiday season.
Hello, you. And happy-almost-holidays!
Are you ready? How are you feeling as December approaches? Excited? Exhausted already? Empty? A little bit of everything?
I, for one, am definitely feeling excited for upcoming holiday season, as usual for me. I love the traditions, memories, and nostalgia that make this month magical. The music, the food, the twinkly lights, that “city sidewalks, busy sidewalks, dress in holiday style” vibe. However, this year, the holidays also have a different feel to me, after the loss of my dad in October. There is a sense of emptiness and melancholy, while at the same time, there is this feeling of wanting to soak in every moment that I can.
December means a bunch of different things to people. And all of our experiences, feelings, and celebrations are worthy of having their own space. This month can be a little bit overwhelming, though - no matter how you feel about it. Often, we are overbooked, overstressed, just making do or trying to survive. That’s not how I want the last month of the year to be. The energy is waning in December. The desire to rest and hibernate and reflect naturally rises in us all - whether we are aware of it or not. So, I want to slow it all down.
Of course I want to feel all of those holly, jolly festive feels of the holiday season. But, honestly, even more than that, I want my holiday to be meaningful. I want to fully soak in the last dark, winter days of 2023. And I want there to be a sense of comfort and joy and hope that actually brings deep comfort and joy and hope to myself and to others.
This December, like many Decembers past, I yearn for a way to stay grounded, mindful, and present. And the way that works best for me is to practice a few simple rituals. Truly, it’s nothing fancy. It’s just me, usually early in the morning with a candle, some coffee, and either a book, a journal, or my keyboard. But, it is a dedicated time, just for me, to pause and feel and reflect on the rich, ancient, deep traditions and rituals and celebrations of December.
And, this year, I thought to myself… why not invite you to join me?
So, I invite you to meet me right here, every other day all month long, for a slow, soulful, deep December.
This every other day ritual will be my way of embracing the dark stillness of winter, getting grounded, celebrating ancient traditions of the season, and keeping it slow all month long.
Here’s my plan:
Light a candle. Make a cup of coffee or tea (or whiskey or wine - depending on the time of day).
Gather at my table or in a quiet space and settle in for a moment of silence and reflection.
Take a few deep breaths and center myself.
Turn over an oracle card, contemplate its meaning for the holiday/winter season, and write a short letter to you about how that message can be embodied in our everyday lives.
Here’s where you come in:
Light a candle. Make a cup of coffee or tea (or whiskey or wine).
Gather at your table or in a quiet space and settle in for a moment of silence and reflection.
Take a few deep breaths and center yourself.
Read (or listen to) the day’s letter from me to you.
Write, journal, or meditate for a few moments before you continue on with your day.
The first letter will be sent on December 2. And the last will be sent on December 30. So, as to not bombard you with letters and add greater stress to you (or to myself!), I’ve chosen to send them every other day.
A few practical things (a.k.a How to Unsubscribe)
I’ve created A Deep December as a separate section (newsletter), which means it is a separate email subscription that you will receive from Wild Soul Collective. As of right now, if you are subscribed to Wild Soul Collective, you are automatically subscribed to A Deep December. However, don’t fret! If you’re not into receiving A Deep December letters in your email every other day throughout December, you can easily unsubscribe. No hard feelings at all - you gotta keep your December slow and meaningful in the ways that work best for you.
Here’s how to adjust your newsletter settings:
Go to your Substack profile (top right corner)
Go to “account settings”. You will see all of your subscriptions.
Click on “edit” beside Wild Soul Collective.
Scroll down to notifications and click the toggle beside “A Deep December” to unsubscribe to the every other day emails throughout December. (Note: You can still read them on my Substack and in the app. Just click on the section in the navigation bar. )
As always, everything on Wild Soul Collective is free. :)
I do hope you join me for A Deep December. Make it a dedicated time just for yourself through the holiday season. Allow yourself to slow down and breathe in the magic of the season. Listen, feel, ponder, remember, hope, and dream.
It’s time to begin to close out this year, to wrap up all of the lessons and memories, and to find a bit of deep, magical peace during these ancient midwinter festivities.
But, first, there’s a bit more of moody, melancholic November left. And there are a few more traditions to be celebrated this month (I’m looking at you, Thanksgiving). So, you’ll hear from me later on in the week ahead. And then, after the full moon on the 27th, I will turn my heart and soul towards the festive, cozy, deep midwinter month of December.
How are you feeling as the holiday season approaches?
With loads of pre-holiday love,
xoxo. liz.
I love this idea.
I want to embrace December and the festive season. Struggling due to 3rd Christmas without celebrating with family as both myself and my husband are working Christmas day.
I am very excited this holiday season. It’s my grand daughters second Christmas and she is into everything. Catherine and her boyfriend Simon will be home for 10 days. My heart is filled with excitement and joy.