A Fall Fast

It’s August already. Summer is nearly gone, and fall is getting closer. Fall and winter are both times for introspection.  It’s a time for us to turn inward and stock of our harvest and make decisions.  What do we want to keep for seed? What do we want to cast off?  What still fits in our lives and what have we outgrown?   What do we want to work on in during the dark half of the year? 

For some people, the year ends at Samhain and begins anew.  For me, the new year begins at Yule, with the rebirth of the sun.  I consider the time between Samhain and Yule an especially powerful time, one in which we can communicate more readily not only with spirits, but also with our inner selves.  

I have a problem with SAD – Seasonal Affective Disorder.  When the dark half of the year comes around, my depression worsens.  I tend to withdraw a bit. I stop enjoying things. I tend to get in a rut and do the same things over and over. I lose my inspiration.

This year, I have decided to channel that energy into a more positive direction, a more spiritual direction.  My goal is to learn more about who I am as a witch/priestess/whatever.    Now, you know I have to work food in here somewhere, and I intend to.  I plan to use my diet to help me with my focus.  How?  Well, it’s going to be a fast of sorts.  From Samhain-Yule, I shall eat no meat. 

I’m an omnivore. I normally eat meat. Not at every meal, but almost every day. I know, I know – it’s bad for me, bad for the environment, etc.  Save it. My dietary choices, my bidness; your dietary choices, your bidness.    For me, giving up meat means a few things.   It will give my body a chance to cleanse itself a bit.  Meat is typically very grounding, and I will already be consuming many other grounding foods during this time of year.  I want to be a little less grounded so I can meditate better.  Another thing I hope to accomplish is to become more in tune with our ancestors’ eating patterns.  During the winter, meat would’ve been precious and saved for special occasions. A lot of it was probably heavily salted and preserved.  Another thing giving up meat will do is help me cook more creatively.  I’m looking forward to it, and I have already started making a list of meatless dishes with which to experiment.

So, that’s the major plan.  Vegetarian meals from Samhain to Yule, combined with more meditation and devotionals.  Need some prayers or energies?  Hit me up!   Want to help me practice Tarot?  Hit me up.  I’m working on getting in tune with my witchy ways a bit more. It’s been a while since I’ve recharged my spiritual batteries, and I don’t like the way I’ve been feeling.   Wish me luck, and I’ll keep you posted.