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Wintertime is Smooring time
We're moving through the deepest, darkest time of the year, at least in the Northern hemisphere. I know for some of you, that just feels completely oppressive and depressing. But for this Cancer crab (that's my symbol in astrology), I have an easy excuse to retreat into my cozy shell and revel in what I call "sanctuary time".
And sometimes I get to do that with my mom... that's us, snuggling up together last week when I visited her. Pretty special.
Mom recently shared with me an article from a Cornell University chaplain that captures this energy so beautifully. Apparently, there are Scottish homes where the hearth fire hasn’t gone out for centuries because they "smoor" it every night. Smooring the fire means covering it with ashes before bed. This keeps the embers burning gently all night so it can be easily resurrected in the morning.
A smoored fire just sort of glows a little; it doesn’t light the room or boil water, but it’s not dead, either. It’s just waiting, letting you rest without worry until you have the energy to tend it again. Are you getting the metaphor here??
I love how this chaplain describes it: "If you don’t have it in you to shine, or sparkle, or twinkle, then pull a blanket of ashes up over your head for a while. Smoor yourself; you deserve it. We’d rather have you at a dim glow than have you go out altogether. I promise, when the time is right, all it will take is a few strong breaths to set you to crackling again."
So, bears and field mice might be hibernating right now, but I'll be smooring. Yes, it's in synch with the season, but also important for optimal healing after my knee surgery on January 6th, as I shared in my New Year's newsletter.
How about you? What will your smooring look like? Can you carve out space for your own sanctuary time? Maybe create some new self-nurturing habits or spiritual practices to support yourself through 2025?
If you can do that, you'll also be fully embracing the vibe of the Cancer/Capricorn Full Moon coming up on January 13th. Among other things, Cancer energy is about creating safety and comfort, honoring your home, and nurturing yourself and those you love. Integrate that with the grounded, disciplined, foundation-building Capricorn season we're moving through from December 21st to January 20th and you've got the perfect combo for committing to gentle self-care routines for the year ahead
And it you want to do some more universal goal-setting, you can tune into the recording of my virtual Capricorn New Moon SisterCircle I facilitated on December 30th when we "Set Intentions for the New Year with Candle Magic".
My Deb’s Picks this month include several terrific retreats to further deepen your connection to your inner "home" and create nurturing intentions from that sacred space. Check them out below and let me know what resonates with you.
Then, be sure to join us for my upcoming Cancer/Capricorn Full Moon TeleMeditation this Monday, January 13th at Noon -- click HERE for details on how to join us. Hope to “hear” you then!
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