As this crazy year comes to a close, we’re finding ourselves in the middle of a holiday season that is anything but normal. And yet, I believe it’s important that we do whatever we can to make this season meaningful.
I admit, I’m struggling. So many of my favorite holiday traditions are either canceled or can’t happen safely this year. No Christmas markets, no afternoons baking with friends, no holiday concerts, no holiday teas, no meals at restaurants – all of these activities make the holiday season special for me, and I’ve shed quite a few tears over the last few weeks when the realization hits over and over again just how different things are this year.
But I am determined to make the most of the season. For starters, I have so much to be grateful for at a time when so many people have lost so much more than just some lovely traditions.
Even though many of us can’t safely see family or friends this year, there are still ways we can make this time special. I put my Christmas tree up the day before Thanksgiving. I’ve started my holiday baking, and while it’s not as much fun by myself rather than doing it with friends, I’m looking forward to sharing my treats with others.
A couple of my local friends have fire pits in their yards, so we can continue to see each other outdoors even during the cold months, and that goes a long way toward lifting my spirits. My German dad always used to say “there’s no such thing as bad weather, only bad clothes,” and he and I would go for our daily walk no matter how cold or snowy it might have been outside. Short of a blizzard, my daily walks as well as an occasional walk with a friend will continue.
And finally, I try to find ways to help others who are not as fortunate as I am.
Perhaps the purpose of this holiday season is for all of us to turn inward a bit more than we normally would this time of year. Instead of the usual hustle and bustle of the season, maybe this is the year to hit the pause button and focus more on the true meaning of the season.
How are you approaching this holiday season? What helps you get into the spirit of the season?
Tomorrow’s New Moon Solar Eclipse in Sagittarius (the only total eclipse of 2020) is one of several remarkable astronomical occurrences this year. First,
Mars has been in Aries since June 27 and will be with us until January 6, 2021 – usually Mars stays in one sign for 3 months but it’s hanging-out with Aries for a good 6 months!
December 21st not only marks the Winter Solstice (Yule), but we will have a Grand Conjunction where both Saturn and Jupiter (currently in taskmaster Saturn – yuck) move into Aquarius at 0 degrees! This will mark the beginning of a new era – started by tomorrow’s NMSE. Can you say “Age of Aquarius”?
That same night a bright “Christmas star” (the Star of Bethlehem) will appear in the sky. This hasn’t happened in 800 years!
This last week I felt the “shift”. The eclipse tomorrow is about the greater good. Both Sagittarius and Aquarius are philanthropic energies so I feel a breathe of fresh air is coming.
Here’s what I wrote today:
“We cannot just sit back and let the Universe ‘take care of things’. It’s offering us TONS of pre-holiday presents that we need to unwrap and put to use right away. Mars is giving us courage and Will to create change in both the world and ourselves. Embrace your fighting spirit. Your Inner Warrior.
Sagittarius urges us to AIM HIGH. Make plans, set new goals, and act on them with courage and confidence. Focus on abundance, appreciation, and gratitude. Expand your mind and open your heart. Be adventurous while keeping your wits about you. Mercury encourages us to speak our truth and communicate it to the world, but be prepared to turn those words into actions.”
Now is the time to embrace truth, optimism, freedom, positive energy, and communicating with others.
Blessed Be everyone.
Thank you for sharing this. I’m hoping that this extraordinary planetary event will bring about the major shift in consciousness our planet so desperately needs.
More donating,
Less cookie eating
Thank you Ingrid. That was a lovely post and I really appreciate it. Enjoying a fire pit with a friend sounds especially wonderful!
I’m struggling with everything this year and have no desire to decorate. I struggle emotionally and financially. We can’t even buys gifts because my husband took a huge pay cut when he lost his job this past summer. We are barely able to pay the bills. But it was better than him going on unemployment. One of the things I always look forward to doing every Christmas is driving around looking at the lights on houses. Last night we set out to do that and found not many people in my area have decorated. Even the neighborhoods that are usually all decked out were dark. It just shows how a lot of people just can’t get into the spirit of the holidays this year.
This has been a crazy year. Part of our traditions this time of year has always been to do things a little differently every year. Transfers and elderly relatives passing meant inevitable changes and we have tried to soften the blows over time. This year is a hard hit though and we appreciate the simple things and what we do have even more. I like your dad’s approach to getting outside despite the weather:)
I can’t wait for the new year too come hopefully it will be better. Merry Christmas.