In the beautiful month of December, we bid farewell to another full year, and begin to prepare ourselves for the next year that is to come.

We embrace many holidays and festivities during this special and magical month, but it is also the month in which we begin to fully step into and embrace the dark months of the year.

It is in the dark months that we experience a sense of the void, all that is mysterious and mystical. It is a time of deep reflection, reverence, and quiet.

An archetype you may or may not be familiar with that embodies this time of the year is that of the Cailleach, or “the Veiled One.” She is a goddess rooted in Celtic mythology, and it is thought that she is the one who brings the seasonal change of winter by striking the ground with her magical wooden staff.

But why is the Cailleach a prominent figure related to the dark months of the year? This is because she represents the cyclical changes of nature. To be born again, we must return to the earth. Without death, there is not life. Without the deep rest and cold of winter, we do not see seeds and warmth unfurl in the spring. The Cailleach is also one of three archetypes associated with the concept of the “Triple Goddess,” otherwise known as “Maiden, Mother, and Crone.” Also often depicted as the “Hag,” the Cailleach, as beautifully described by Moonfall Metaphysical, “embodies the transformative power of old age and the ability to impart deep wisdom gained through experience.” Simply put, Spring is an embodiment of expansion, youth, regeneration, and even naivete. Winter, on the other hand, is a period of deep reflection, turning inward and contraction, seeking wisdom and knowledge, and allowing things to be put to rest.

While there is no doubt that the dark months of the year can be difficult and taxing on an emotional level, it is also a deeply mystical and enchanting time of the year, should we choose to embrace the natural rhythms of winter.

Come sit by the fire and join us as we explore practices and herbal supports for navigating the dark months that lie ahead.

Begin by Continuing to Tend the Inner Flame

A concept held sacred by many cultures around the world is the idea of one’s inner flame. We have explored this concept in previous blog posts, but it is an especially important practice when in the depths of winter. To our ancestors, the tending of a flame would have been important for survival, and the hearth was the most important place in the home. This is where meals would have been made, stories told, and memories shared. Within our physical and spiritual body, we too have an inner flame. It can feel tempting with the hibernative qualities of deep winter to become lax in this tending, however this can keep us in a state of homeostasis and also reduce the impacts of such conditions as Seasonal Affective Disorder.

Herbs can be incredibly supportive in tending one’s inner flame in two ways:

1. Support of our digestive fire and solar plexus. Our solar plexus truly is the space in which our inner flame is kept. If this energy center is out of balance, we may struggle to feel a sense of purpose, a lack of drive or ambition, and may experience physical dis-eases such as sluggish digestion or increased fatigue. To help maintain balance in this energetic center, we can work with warming herbs that help stoke our inner fire and remind us of our power, while also experiencing physical benefits such as digestive upset relief. Herbs that you can work with in this way include: Cayenne, Ginger, Turmeric, and Cinnamon.

2. Working with “Sunshine Herbs.” While the days during the dark months may be shorter and we experience less sun, we can welcome this energy into our bodies by working with herbs that embody solar energy. Often a characteristic of these herbs is that they are also uplifting to one’s mood, which can be extra supportive if you are someone who is prone to feeling winter blues. Some herbal allies to build relationship with in this way might include St. John’s Wort, Calendula, or Lemonbalm.

Turn Inward

The Crone is someone who embodies wisdom from within. They have experienced a lifetime and are now entering a period in which they can reflect and reminisce. The Crone tends to oneself and their community, knowing that all they need lies within and those in their circle. For many of us, it is the concept of the “unknown” that may invoke feelings of fear or anxiety as we experience the dark months. This is also reflected in ancestral cultures, with some of the spookiest stories (cue a Christmas Carole) being rooted in the deep winter versus even October or the autumn. However, if we step into this power, and acknowledge that which lies within us, and face the void, we can expand beyond what we ever believed capable.

Some practices to support us in this journey include: 

Seeking to embrace the dark versus resisting it. We can do this by celebrating that which comes from the dark months such as deep rest. Perhaps we can lean into the energy of this time by saying no more to things that drain our energy, or embracing candlelight versus artificial light. Perhaps we can engage in slow activities that bring us joy and stimulate creative processes such as art, intentional cooking, sunset walks, or crafts.

Practice sacred rest. Rest is sacred, and winter is a time in which we can embrace this. Physically, our bodies long for an opportunity to slow down, and our circadian rhythms shift. Making rest delicious and juicy is a deeply sacred act at this time, and matter of factly, we got even deeper into this just last month!

Practice deep meditation and nervous system nourishment. A way in which to embrace the mystery of the void during the dark months is to nourish our minds. This can be an extra delicious time to sit in longer, deeper meditations, or to even tend to a regular practice if you are just beginning. Our minds are extra expansive this time of year, and it can be an opportune time to explore that wisdom that lies within. This can also be a special time in which to engage in practices such as meditative journeys or plant spirit meditations to connect on a deeper spiritual level. Additionally, when spending extra time in this state, it is important to regulate and tend to the nervous system. Herbal allies that can support this include Passionvine, Mugwort, Vervain, Tulsi, and Oatstraw.

Shadow work. Our “shadow” is a concept brought into our awareness by psychologist Carl Jung. Jung believed that this is the part of our unconscious mind that holds that which we have repressed, such as hidden qualities, desires we can’t satisfy, creative impulses, damage we may have experienced, etc. By ignoring our shadow, we may never be able to fully integrate ourselves into wholeness as this aspect remains repressed, but can manifest in negative ways such as being impulsive, having triggers, or not being able to live up to our utmost potential. Much like the plants who have roots in the underworld, we too can explore and embrace our shadow. During the dark months, it may feel nourishing to journal (many prompts are available online) and bring light to the shadow so that we may feel empowered to address them. However, If conducting this work, it is important to also have strong support systems who can help you navigate deeply uncomfortable things that may come up.

Finally, Nourish Yourself

Because the dark months can get us feeling in a bit of a funk, self care is deeply important during this time of the year. Loving up on ourselves helps also contribute to the tending of our solar plexus and our inner flame as well. Some ways you can work with herbs in your self care routine include:

Herbal baths and oiling. Nothing feels better on a dark, cold, winter night than a steaming hot bath. However, we can make our bath feel like a ritual in and of itself. Add epsom salt or ground oats to relax the muscles and nourish the skin. You can also add herbs that invoke feelings of self love such as Rose or Lavender. Skin tonic herbs also include Calendula or Chamomile. Follow your bath by restoring moisture to your skin and providing yourself with self massage using an herbal infused oil. An extra delicious one for this time of year is St. John’s Wort Oil.

Aromatherapy. Working with aromatic herbs can be both restorative to the nervous system and relaxing, or can help support us when we need a little energizing and oomph. Work with herbs such as Damiana, Lavender, Clary Sage, or Pine to unwind, and utilize citrus scents to help stimulate energy, especially for those mornings when it is still dark out when you awake!

As always, dear readers, remember that nature works in a cycle. While the dark months can feel long and dreary, the light always will return. You hold all that you will ever need already within you, and that makes you pure magic. We wish you a beautiful holiday season and can’t wait to reconnect with you in the New Year!

Sources: 

• Lonngi, Gail. The Jungian Shadow and Self-Acceptance. Texas A&M University at Galveston. 2024. Retrieved from: https://www.tamug.edu/nautilus/articles/The%20Jungian%20Shadow%20and%20Self-Acceptance.html#:~:text=Enter%20the%20Shadow.,detrimental%20to%20our%20own%20health.
• Moonfall Metaphysical. “The Cailleach: Mythical Tales of the Ancient Celtic Winter Goddess.” Moonfall Metaphysical. 19 June 2023. Retrieved from: https://www.moonfallmetaphysical.com/s/stories/the-cailleach?srsltid=AfmBOoouJJBt_trzes1ypRTOZ4hjv6FAaJhPzdAsE-mWmT9CsDJ7CT1x
• Wee White Hoose. “Older Than Time: The Myth of the Cailleach, The Great Mother.” Wee White Hoose. 18 January 2021. Retrieved from: https://weewhitehoose.co.uk/study/the-cailleach/