Seasons of Change
Hello friends,
While I started June’s newsletter with the intention of sharing the seasonal comforts of the month, unexpected life changes has brought in a period of sadness and readjustment. To ignore that when I am not practicing the seasonal joys and reflections that I share here feels disingenuous, so instead I simply want to share a short list of ways we can tend to ourselves during times of change and feeling uprooted.
The power of tears. I strongly believe in the magic of crying. It’s an act of releasing energy that weighs us down, helping us let go of our grief, and making space for healing.
Cleansing our space and personal energy. Opening windows and burning herbs for smoke cleansing effectively carries away angry words and/or negative energy to clear home or space. A simmer pot uses steam to fill and infuse our homes with the healing or cleansing intentions we wish to call in, and using the strained water to wash the floors, windows or doors imbues that magic into our homes even more. For cleansing personal energy I find a walk in the rain or a ritual shower to be the most potent magic.
Hug a tree. On more than one occasion I’ve asked to unload my troubles to a specific tree in my local forest, asking for it to take my pain and release it back into the earth to transmute the energy. If nothing else, hugging a tree truly brings in a sense of calm and connection to our natural world.
Remember to eat and hydrate. There’s a time for comfort junk food to soothe our souls, especially during hard times, but remembering that we also need to fuel our bodies for endurance during hard times is important. Eating fresh fruit and vegetables for fiber and carbs keeps our energy up, proteins keeps us full and clear headed, and drinking plenty of water or other hydrating drinks helps flush out anything that doesn’t serve us. Despite what our pop culture teaches us, now is not time for alcohol of any kind or in any amount. It’s tempting to try and forget, or have the illusion of feeling lighter in the moment, but in the long run it keeps us in an unhealthy cycle and feeling blue.
Journaling thoughts, feelings, and dreams. Much like crying, putting pen to paper clears out space to make room for healing. It also helps give us clarity, time to reflect, and can sometimes offer closure to a situation we might otherwise not have.
Practicing magic. Depending on the situation, a freezer or cord cutting spell helps give us the momentum to permanently remove a person from our lives. Other times a small spell to encourage letting go, or some other form of healing is all we need to help bring peace back to our lives.
Talking to a trusted person. Whether it’s a friend or family member, or a mental health professional to lean on, talking to someone for emotional support or help gain perspective on a situation can be more effective and more powerful than anything else, magical or mundane.
While I am the writer and strongly believe in everything on this list, know that I am not a perfect person and don’t instinctively tend to my needs the way I know I should. And that’s okay. I have a husband who reminds me to eat and asks how I’ve slept, friends who listen to me cry and remind me that I am valid, and my special tree in the forest who remains upright for me to hug.
This summer solstice I wish you blessings, abundance, and a season full of bright sunshine to grow in love and magic.