Friends, I hope you had a lovely, peaceful holiday, or indeed, whatever kind of Christmas you had hoped for, and if you didn’t, well it’s done now, and you enjoy a quiet few days ahead and then a shiny new year.

I always feel mixed emotions at this particular time of year, sad that Christmas is over, relieved that all the work of Christmas is done, and hopeful that everyone enjoyed as best they could, given the circumstances, and also secretly delighted about this sacred pause that I call ‘The Hush’ and love so very much.

For many years now, I have sensed something very special about these precious days between Christmas and New Year. It’s as if some kind of portal opens up. January will be here before we know it, but until then, let’s stretch these days as wide open as we can and meander for a while, giving our minds and hearts a chance to assimilate and process all that’s happened over the past 12 months and plant some seeds for the year ahead.

This moment is that fleeting pause when time bends and magic hovers between the book ends of the season. We must and we should are abandoned in favour of ‘Shall we...?’ and ‘We could...’ Spontaneity and softness become the order of the day. This is a precious time to breathe deeply, savour moments with loved ones or alone. Feel the world slowing for just a while. It’s a time for reflection and releasing, meandering and dreaming, and today’s episode is all about that.

It includes:

* The special magic of this time I call ‘the Hush’

* An amazing story of manifestation, which began on this podcast

* An invitation to speak your dreams aloud

* A beautiful wintery visualisation

* A potent question to guide you beneath the surface of things

* Lots of love for deer

* How to make a vision board

* A delicious soup recipe from Mark Diacono

* Some goodies for you

* A gentle could-do list for the week ahead

With inspiration from Ryokan Taigu, Calexico, Blackdown Shepherd Huts, Fog Chaser, Laura Pashby, Shaun Davey, the Natural History Museum, BBC Wildlife Magazine, Mark Diacono and Kate Trenchard. You can listen on iTunes/Spotify or here on Substack.

Wishing you peace and joy for these in-between days,

Beth Xx

Lovely things for you

* The Winter Writing Sanctuary FREE seven-day gentle writing class, starts Monday December 29 (join here)

* Moon + Shadow one-day virtual writing retreat on January 11 (join from anywhere, FREE to all paid subscribers/members of my SoulCircle private writing community. If you are not a member yet you can join here).

Books mentioned

* Chasing Fog by Laura Pashby

Other links

* Hear the Bells by Calexico

* Blackdown Shepherd Huts

* A Peek Inside the (Tiny) Hut that Words Built (essay by me)

* The Deer’s Cry by Shaun Davey

* A Simple Carol by Matt Evans Fog Chaser (60 minute version)

* Reindeer at the Natural History Museum

* BBC Wildlife Magazine on the difference between deer and reindeer

Ingredients for Mark Diacono’s Cauliflower and Sage Soup

* Two teaspoons of coriander seeds

* Two teaspoons of cumin seeds

* One tablespoon of butter

* One tablespoon of olive oil, and more for the sage

* Two onions finely chopped

* Two garlic cloves finely chopped

* One medium to large cauliflower chopped into three centimetre or one inch cubes

* 1.2 litres or two pints of hot water

* 12 sage leaves,

* Curry powder to serve

* Sea salt and freshly ground white pepper

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit calmchristmas.substack.com