ANNI TEMPORA /INVERNO

I leant upon a coppice gate
            When Frost was spectre-gray,
And Winter’s dregs made desolate
             The weakening eye of day.
The tangled bine-stems scored the sky
             Like strings of broken lyres,
And all mankind that haunted nigh
             Had sought their household fires.

Thomas Hardy, “The Darkling Thrush” 

Few look forward to the arrival of winter. Its long and dark nights, cold weather and seemingly lacklustre atmosphere stand in stark contrast to the dynamic and vibrant energy of summer. To many, winter represents a slightly underwhelming time of the year, a period to simply get through while awaiting the return of spring. This line of thinking is however a mistake: In nature, four seasons come and go, all with their own particular reason and purpose. Winter is a time for patience, tranquillity and rest. During winter, many animals and plants are dormant, and we should take a cue from them and slow down, look inwards and take stock of our lives.

Use this time to not only conserve but for recharging your strength, needed for the rebirth that is to follow.

Bright autumn skies turn into the solemn darkness of winter evenings, while the warm October breeze is replaced with the chills of the northern winds. The fur coats of animals change colours and become softer and more subdued, adjusting to the changing colours of the landscape around us. Use this time to not only conserve but for recharging your strength, needed for the rebirth that is to follow.

Through the garments we wear, winter can hold an almost literal sense of softness. The winter wardrobe is often defined by down jackets, wool pants and cashmere sweaters and scarves. Indoors, we use warm blankets and thick terry cotton robes. Winter is not so much about looking smart as it is about being comfortable and staying warm. Different kinds of tea, or even just a glass of heated tap water, creates a sense of warmth and heat stemming from within the body. Many prefer to stay at home during the winter months, resting in front of the fireplace, rather than socializing in busy restaurants and loud bars.

In all darkness there is a sliver of light. Also in the darkest winter months, there are celebrations and remembrance of the bright days that once were and that are soon to return.

In all darkness there is always sliver of light. Also in the darkest winter months, there are celebrations and remembrance of the bright days that once were and that are soon to return. At the winter solstice, the sun travels the shortest path through the sky. The day before is the shortest of the year, and the night is the longest. In other words, after winter solstice, the days will again become longer and the nights shorter, which signals that the seasons once more are beginning to change. For this reason, many celebrate winter solstice by spending it with family and friends, lighting bonfires and candles in the dark, as a symbol of the return of the light.

Aesthetically, there is something almost unreal to the poetic expression of winter. All sharp edges become covered in soft, white snow. Ice drops form around windows and roof beams. Light no longer only comes from the sun in the sky but is also reflected from the ground itself, as the bright snow shines in the dark. One can wake up in the morning and not recognize the landscape outside the window – the change from a melancholic autumn to a snow-covered, wonderous winter wonderland is as instant as it is dramatic.

The fact that snow is water that has changed shape is strangely similar to how life goes through an almost endless series of transformations, while at the same time remaining the same. Snow can be still but also in motion; it is symbolic of purity and calm but also of coldness and the indifference of nature. It exists somewhere between water and ice, in this way demonstrating the versatility of water as one of the four elements.

The gentleness inherent in snow can quickly turn into life-threatening blizzards, and the exquisite ice sculptures can become lethal projections as they fall to the ground. In a similar manner, the winter sea is so cold that it deadly to stay in it for too long, but many people still enjoy winter swimming; dipping briefly into the water before enjoying the life-giving warmth of the sauna.