Bear Medicine

Welcome December! The days are noticeably darker so much earlier now. It is a bit strange to be thinking at 2:00 in the afternoon that it will be dark in a couple of hours. It makes the rhythm of the days seem somehow slower - while at the same time there is a bit of hurry to them. When this time rolls around during the year it feels like there is the need to utilize every drop of daylight. If you live on the edge of the forest - the darkness seems to feel a bit thicker. I measure where I am by where the sun and moon come up through the trees over the hill. All of it is shifted. Each year it feels like a surprise - to be remembered again like an old friend.

Bear Medicine is a good theme to embrace during this season. The bears have made their ways toward their dens in the far north. Black bears come ‘round here and are no longer an infrequent occurrence. Of course this is as it should be. Bear belong here with us. We belong with the Bears. Walking out back toward the compost - singing and calling out is not uncommon in my day to day routines. A welcome knowing that we each play our part in the cycle of life.

The slowing down of Bears is a good reminder for me to take a different approach to my days. Have I prepared for the upcoming dark days? What needs to be contemplated and readied? Of course it is a bit late for Bears getting ready as they are doing it all summer long - we do still have some time. The winter seems to arrive a bit later now of course. We all feel this if we are observers of nature and the seasons. We notice the difference around us. We even talk about it our daily communicating with others in the community.

Readying for us here means will be warm enough. Is there enough firewood? When will we need more? Hauling - carrying - piling - loading - splitting - all the firewood things. The wool blankets come out and are placed on the beds. Sitting places need warm blankets to keep away drafts. It is a cozy feeling when these warmth makers come out.

Food ways begin to change to more soups of all kinds. Warm soup is eaten any time of day. It is a filling meal in the morning and savory meals just seem to make sense in the colder days. They also hold you longer throughout the day. A big bowl of soup in the morning will last you into the afternoon. It’s efficient and simple. In a month when some people celebrate a holiday time - making your food more simple is a gift to yourself. The Three Bears came looking into Goldilocks home when wandering. We - like Bears tend to like our porridge and soups in the colder times. In New England it isn’t much colder than down into the 20’s Fahrenheit at night right now. It’s cold but, it warms up again into the 40’s in the daytime. Slow soup might be a welcome routine for you too.

Bear Medicine means resting and taking care. You might think of something creative you would like to do this month. A craft project that is simple and enjoyable. Making a puzzle is a fun and relaxing thing to do. Of course all the slow crafts like sewing, knitting, quilting, carving - all of these are good winter time activities to plan ahead for. Do what is enjoyable. Try not to make your projects so overwhelming that it feels like a stress instead of pleasurable. I have done that - taking on a huge project and it takes the fun out of the season for me. Be realistic in fitting in projects this time of year for yourself. Too much - and it will feel no longer any fun for you. Slow Craft and Making time makes TIME for you that is peaceful and honoring of your unique rhythm.

This is just a simple reminder to take time if you are able. Try not to take on all the things. Say yes to only a few things to do with friends and family. Fitting in too many activities makes it hard to enjoy things and savor them with attention and contentment. Bears do what they need to do. I don’t think Bears ever take on more than is necessary.

We can be like Bears. Lumber along into this month with an eye to taking care of what you need to. Generosity toward yourself is also a good thing. Map out a small list of what you most want to feel like this season. Pick only 5 words that describe what that might feel like. When something comes up or you’re planning your days - ask yourself if an activity or obligation fits in with your five words of how you want to feel. You might keep a December journal for yourself. Make it an easy and reflective activity. Allow yourself a few moments in the morning or at the end of the day to focus on what is important to you and remind yourself of this in your December time journal/notebook. Do only the things that make it onto your special word list. Find resonance.

Lastly, I highly recommend reading nourishing stories this month. Find a lovely book of stories that speaks to you and how you want to feel this December time. Story Ways are the soul food that can keep us feeling held in a special way. If life is feeling a little less than what we most hope for - turning to a good book of seasonal stories or folk tales allows some magic and beauty into our lives.

A book I highly recommend is The Return of the Light: Twelve Tales from Around the World for the Winter Solstice. You might decide to read a story every few nights throughout the season. The winter solstice, the day the "sun stands still," marks the longest night and the shortest day of the year, and it comes either on December 20th or 21st. Celebrations honoring the winter solstice as a moment of transition and renewal date back thousands of years and occur among many peoples on every continent. The Return of the Light makes an ideal companion for everyone who carries on this tradition, no matter what their faith. Storyteller Carolyn McVickar Edwards retells twelve traditional tales-from North America, China, Scandinavia, India, Africa, South America, Europe, and Polynesia-that honor this magical moment. These are stories that will renew our wonder of the miracle of rebirth and the power of transition from darkness into light.

“I hope Bear Medicine finds you...”