It’s that time post Christmas, where we take down the decorations and the festivities come to a pitiful halt. A new calendar. An apparent new year. An often sad start back to work and school but where outside remains still, frosted over with the sudden shut down of the natural world, yet we as humans trudge on often oblivious to the natural order and while everything else goes into hibernation and sleeps off the chapters that came before the halt, we still endure the rhythms of daily life as if the cycles never happen.
As I write this, it is a mildish day where I am located over in Barcelona on the tamer side of the med though as a Brit myself I am very familiar to the harsher climes that cycle round at this bitter time of the year. I am sat listening to the sound of machines and engines from the construction developments close to where I live. There are cars flying up and down my street, the chatter and clatter of people bustling about and the occasional buzz of the main bell on our communal entrance door downstairs still chimes. The natural world here in the city doesn’t seem to exist so much so when I speak to my family in England who tell me ‘of the robin that’s come to land on their tree while they boil the kettle still in their dressing gown and slippers’ or that ‘the car is frozen stiff to the driveway’, it’s a stark reminder that where the natural world prevails, it is telling us to SLOW DOWN and to do what nature does and seek shelter in preparation for the period of hibernation and slumber.
Why we as humans fail to take note of these callings and reminders I have no idea other than, PROFIT AND PRODUCTIVITY PREVAILS regardless of what the cycles of nature are hinting to us.
January -We move from the autumnal hunter king of Sagittarius through late November and December, where we have grabbed our bow and arrow and hit the off beaten track in an endeavour to hunt our winter provisions ready for the slower, earthier decline into the vibes of Capricorn. Capricorn is a cardinal energy. Ruled by Saturn it is one of the most serious, steady and structured signs of the zodiac where it expects us to slow down, pay attention to what is important and find our way with arrangement and precision into the new yearly energetics where hopefully we can take our new years resolutions and plant them firmly and with purpose into the Capricorn soil of determination and solid expectation.
Capricorn is not a sign that likes the unexpected. It is not a wild card, doesn’t like electric madness or spontaneous hedonism. It appreciates the finer, intricate order of the natural world where things work because we have planned for them to work according to the foresighted earthly energies that bind us and within these cosmic timeframes, Capricorn expects us to do the work that needs to be done but to do it with stealth, ambition and strategy. Yes, its cold and we can’t just hibernate can we, but Capricorn is telling us to get what work needs to be done, done. Like the goat that represents the sign, it is a time to be gentle through the rough and tough time of the year. It is telling us to prioritise and focus on what is important and to not give our power away to things outside of that initiation. It is a time to get your home in order, rely on the provisions we have reaped and sowed throughout the prior harvest period and to enjoy the rewards of these delights slowly and with humble gratitude throughout the bleak wind down of the rest of the year
Although, it is not a new year is it? Not until the spring where the first seed blooms. We are still in the period of death and rebirth as we use whatever has been collected to keep us warm and fed – Fire wood, fruits, store cupboard essentials, grains, candles, fuel, pots and pans and whatever other foraged goods we have hoarded for the delights of winter. Capricorn isn’t a big spender. It doesn’t actually need a ‘January sale’ for it’s already hoarded its earthenware and home goods, washed and stocked its linens while the sun was still out in September so it doesn’t need anything more than the classic few pieces it’s already got. It’s not a greedy sign, it is a pragmatic, responsible sign. Almost paternal, putting the children to bed with sheepskins and candle light and awaking them with ceramic hot pots of something ‘GOOD FOR YOU’ that was shelved in the pantry months ago – GOAT MENTALITY! Yes, the goat is the king forager and ranger and even though it’s winter, they move about all day long but when they rest – They rest!
The word PROVISION is a very Capricornian word. It is everything earth like, trustworthy and tells us of the rewards we win for learning the lessons set to us by the great teachers – Saturn ‘Father teacher’ of time rules Capricorn and he asks us – “What did you learn in the months leading up to this period of brutal wintertide?” PROVISION means PRO VISION. The vision we had prior to the occurrence. What we set our sights on in order to properly plan and structure for where we are now. So, did you make sure you had your PRO-VISIONS ready for this winter time?
As you can see from my colleague Kat, who has included in this newsletter all her favourite bits and pieces from RECIPES to NATURAL APOTHECARY PIECES – Remedies that she has foraged over the Autumn months and prepped and stored for this exact time so that come the end of the day, she can settle down to a PRE-VISIONED and PRE-PREPARED freezer meal from all the glories and winnings of the prior months.
I believe from recent conversations that she is currently struggling with a sciatic issue and during a phone call at the beginning of 2024, she had made a point of saying ‘Thank goodness she made all of that eucalyptus oil at the beginning of November that has thankfully had enough time to steep and strengthen as it is the ONLY thing additional to her hot water bottle that is helping ease the nerve pain in her back’ – See how the natural world teaches us how to work with it not against. It blessed us with abundant offerings. You don’t see animals fearing winter or complaining about the cold. They prep for the winter and when it comes, they work with the winter and its blessings rather than against it. This is what connects us to the natural cycles and what Capricorn is asking us to do. It is telling us to WORK WITH the natural order
Like a goat, go for that long winter walk and just like the goat would do, be careful where you tred on ice and rock. Balance yourself with the elements not against them. Capricorn rules the teeth, gums, skin, BONES AND KNEES in particular. It is a time to get serious about protecting your bones which is why so much of our JAUARY RECIPE COLLECTIONS focuses on BLOOD AND BONE building foods and tonics. Yes, wake up with solid purpose like a good Capricornian goat, drink your bone broth, do your morning mantras and get out in the cold and go for that walk.
Again, throughout this January Newsletter, there is a focus on the slower, softer elements. Somatic practice is obviously a high note for us as we work across the fields of this ethos and throughout the winter months, YIN YOGA practice is the best method of slowing into your body and reconnecting with purpose and structure. Holding poses for longer periods allows the muscles and connective tissues to help protect and strengthen the bones during this time of year by keeping us supple and warm and we should be introducing slower, steady breathwork instead of HIIT and cardio so if you’re keen to get into some winter time somatic yoga, you can find a few good, solid poses and flow workouts HERE to get you into the January vibe
With this pragmatic, responsible and steady vibe that is asking us to follow suit, a few other things that might brighten your month of January with all things Capricornian, here are a few ideas on what you can do to fill your life and home with the energy of this time of year:
- Long lasting fuel source – Lots of candles, fire wood, fairy lights and soft interior settings that are low cost and relaxing. Remember – YOU are a fuel source too so what happens in your home mimics what is happening in your body
- Carnations – THE January flower – Fill your home with beautiful flower vibes
- Provisions – Make sure that you’re stocked up on what you need not just for January but for the next few months so that you don’t have to go far and you can hibernate with what comforting goodies you do have
- Grab yourself some BOOKS and MOVIES (You can find a great list of winter suggestions over on our JANUARY STORYTIME EDIT) So you can settle into the period of relax and rewind good and proper
- Get our for your walk – Every day, come rain or shine, give your goat self that 20 mins at least for a stroll outside. It’s good for your bones!
Have a blessed January everyone, and until next month, sending you peaceful, purposeful and positive hopes for this month
HUMANOLOGY 