Seasonal Thoughts

Now that Samhain is over, according to retailers (as I mentioned in another post), we’re officially into the Christmas season. But not for everyone! My school, American College of Healthcare Sciences just posted on Facebook about how they use the change of seasons to refocus on goals. Naturally, they talk about health-related items like drinking eight glasses of water a day, adding two cloves of garlic to the daily diet, and eating enough servings of fresh fruits and vegetables. (They also mention drinking dandelion coffee. Healthy? Yes. Coffee? Sorry, no.)

I hadn’t thought about it but I use the change of seasons in a similar manner. As I notice the seasons turning, I take stock of what has happened versus what I wanted to accomplish; what, if anything, I need to change; and what new something I want to accomplish.

So, my goals for the quarter between Samhain and Imbolc (Candlemas for Christians, or right around Groundhog Day):

1. Get to know a new herb. I like to know herbs … not just what I can read about them but what the herbs themselves can tell me. I sit quietly by a plant (or plants if I have a bed of them) and open up all my senses. Not just sight, smell, taste and touch. I open up my “inner ear” and allow the plants to tell me about themselves. They will give you all sorts of insights into their likes, dislikes and uses if you’re open to a whisper on the wind. I have a bed of Wood Betony Stachys officinalis that doesn’t seem to mind (or perhaps even likes) the cool weather. I think I’ll see what they have to say.

2. Get at least six chapters written of the new book. Since I have a “real” job, writing has to be tucked in between and around the paying work. I think six chapters in three months is a pretty good goal, given that I have a lot of research to do, as well.

3. Try my damnedest to get two of my neighbors jobs. They’ve both been unemployed for over six months and jobs are tough to come by in our rural county. I think a whopper of an employment spell is in order.

4. Spend time with family and friends this holiday season. We live fairly isolated and don’t visit with people often. This year a couple of my long-time clients will be home from Europe (one has a new baby girl that I haven’t yet seen) and family will either be in or passing through Atlanta. My assistant and dear friend was forced out of his condo by the floods in Atlanta in September and I haven’t seen the apartment they moved into so I need to drop by there. Have to come up with a housewarming gift. (Hey wait! I make a housewarming basket that would be perfect. It’s amazing what you think of while writing!)

5. Get to know my new Tarot deck. As I mentioned in another post, I’m pretty good at reading runes but rather lousy at cards. I bought a new deck whose artwork I like and I need to schedule unbroken periods of quiet time to learn it.

And last but definitely not least:

6. Tell my loved ones that I love them. We get caught up in the day-to-day grind and this is one thing normally taken for granted that should be verbalized on a regular basis. I admit I’m guilty and will try to rectify the situation.