I was born in the heart of winter, during the chaos of a snowstorm—a season defined by quiet, stillness, and introspection. Yet, for most of my life, I never felt at peace with it. Winter always felt too cold, too dark, and too lonely.
But as I’ve grown (and done a lot of soul-searching), I’ve started to see the spiritual beauty of this season. Winter isn’t about what we lose—it’s about what we gain through reflection, rest, and renewal. It’s a time to honor the cycles of nature and to turn inward.
Here are 9 unique ways I’ve learned to protect my peace in winter while leaning into the wisdom it offers.
1. Make Winter Your Hermit Season
Winter is The Hermit’s time. In tarot, The Hermit (number IX) represents introspection, wisdom, and finding light within. Much like animals hibernating through the cold, winter invites us to turn inward and pause.
How to Do It:
Take a “hermit day” each week where you disconnect from the world. No emails, no social media—just you and your thoughts.
Create a cozy nook where you can sit with a journal, tarot cards, or even just silence.
Reflect on the light you carry within and where it’s guiding you.
Why It Works: The Hermit teaches us that stepping back from the world isn’t isolation—it’s clarity. Winter is your chance to connect with your inner wisdom and recharge.
2. Journal Your Way to Peace
Winter is the perfect time to sit down with a journal and let your thoughts flow. The quiet and stillness of the season make it easier to reflect on where you’ve been and where you’re headed.
How to Do It:
Make your journaling a ritual. Light a candle, brew some tea, and take 10 minutes each day to write. You’ll find that journaling becomes not just a habit, but a form of self-care.
Use a dedicated “winter journal” to capture your reflections during this unique season. I suggest my Soul Stitches Shadow Work Journal.
3. Treat Prayer as a Conversation with the Season
Winter has a spiritual quietness to it, making it an ideal time to reconnect with your faith or spirituality through prayer.
How to Do It:
Use your prayer time to reflect on the themes of winter: rest, renewal, and light returning to the darkness.
Speak your prayers aloud or write them down—it can feel like a heart-to-heart with the universe.
End your prayer by focusing on gratitude, even for the small moments of warmth and peace this season brings.
A Winter Prayer: “Thank you for the stillness of this season. Teach me to rest, to trust the cycles of life, and to see the beauty in quiet growth.”
4. Build a Ritual Around The Hermit Card
As a tarot lover, The Hermit card (IX) speaks deeply to winter’s energy. It’s a reminder to seek your inner truth and follow your own light, even in the dark.
How to Do It:
Pull The Hermit card and place it on your altar or in a space where you’ll see it daily.
Use it as a prompt for reflection: Where am I seeking clarity? What light am I carrying within me?
Pair this ritual with candlelight to symbolize the wisdom The Hermit offers in the darkness.
You can also book a reading with me to learn more about The Hermit and what he means to you.
Why It Helps: The Hermit encourages self-discovery and reminds you that your inner light is always there, even in life’s winter seasons.
5. Create a “Winter Wishes” Jar
Instead of focusing on resolutions, use winter as a time to plant seeds for what you want to grow in the future.
How to Do It:
Write down your wishes, goals, or intentions on small slips of paper and place them in a jar.
Each time you add to the jar, take a moment to visualize your wish coming to life.
Open the jar in spring to reflect on how far you’ve come and what’s blossomed.
Why It Works: This practice honors winter’s role as the season of planting intentions and trusting the unseen growth happening beneath the surface.
6. Take a Spiritual Snow Walk
Even if it’s cold, stepping outside in winter can be transformative. Snow-covered landscapes and quiet streets offer a sense of calm that’s hard to find in any other season. No snow? That's fine! You can still venture out.
How to Do It:
Bundle up and take a walk with no destination in mind. Let your mind wander as you notice the world at rest.
If it snows, take a moment to feel the flakes on your skin or listen to the crunch beneath your boots.
Nature’s Reminder: Even in stillness, the earth is alive. Let winter teach you patience and presence.
7. Embrace Seasonal Foods with Gratitude
Winter is a time for grounding, comforting foods that nourish your body and soul. Eating seasonally connects you to the cycles of the earth.
What to Eat:
Soups, stews, and roasted vegetables like squash, sweet potatoes, and carrots.
Warming spices like cinnamon, nutmeg, and ginger to boost circulation and add cozy flavors.
Bonus Idea: Create a weekly “soul food Sunday” where you cook something that warms your heart, whether it’s a family recipe or a new comfort food.
Practice Hygge: The Art of Cozy Living
Winter and hygge (a Danish word for coziness) go hand in hand. It’s about creating warmth and connection, even on the coldest days.
How to Do It:
Surround yourself with soft blankets, warm lighting, and scents like cinnamon or cedar.
Host a low-key “hygge night” with friends or family: hot cocoa, board games, and lots of laughter.
If you’re solo, make it a personal retreat with a favorite book and a cozy fire.
Why It Works: Hygge turns winter into an opportunity to nurture joy and connection, reminding us that peace doesn’t have to be solitary.
9. Celebrate Small Wins Daily
Winter can feel heavy at times, but focusing on the small, joyful moments can bring light into even the darkest days.
How to Do It:
Keep a “winter wins” list. Each day, write down one small thing that went well, like finishing a book, having a great conversation, or even just making it through the day.
Celebrate those moments with a treat, whether it’s a warm bath or a favorite snack.
Why It Matters: Winter reminds us that growth happens in the little things. Recognizing and celebrating them keeps your spirit lifted.
Winter as a Sacred Pause Point
Winter may not always feel easy, but it carries its own kind of magic. It’s a time to rest, reflect, and reconnect with yourself and the world around you. By protecting your peace and honoring the season, you’ll find not just calm but a renewed sense of purpose.
How do you protect your peace in winter?
Share your thoughts or your favorite winter traditions in the comments—I’d love to hear your stories!
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