Yes, it’s only early November, but on the Chinese calendar this weekend Winter Begins. The Chinese word for this is "Li Tung" or sometimes seen as "Lidong". The keyword to keep in mind for this time of year is "storage." All the animals have begun to prepare for the long winter. Farmers already stored their crops and have begun to prepare for a winter break. For animals like snakes, hedgehogs and squirrels, after a busy autumn foraging for food, they are well-prepared with enough energy to hibernate and await spring. I've noticed the squirrels around my house are looking a bit fatter these days.
So, how about following nature's patterns and doing the same ourselves (except maybe for the getting fatter part). Have you brought in your stores for the winter? I'm thinking of things like extra candles, firewood, bringing out the woolens (blankets, clothing, etc.) and seeing what needs repairing or replacing. Check out the pantry and stock up on those items you use all the time for cooking hot meals and, while you're at it, why not stock up on supplies for a "sick kit" for when you might feel under the weather when it gets cold. Nobody wants a winter cold or flu (especially this year) and then be required to get out and go get supplies. Do it now while the proverbial sun shines.
With winter approaching (the most yin time of year) also think about bringing in those yang colors to your home decor (a red throw blanket, a bright orange set of pillows for the sofa, yellow silk flowers) and don't forget to increase the wattage of your light bulbs around the house to counterbalance the dark days. Move the furniture a little closer to the fireplace if you have one.
And please remember your pets as well. Does Fido need a new sweater or a cozier bed? Does your kitty have a warm place to sleep in a sunny window perhaps?
Once the house is set up for a winter's idyll we can truly enjoy our autumn days to the fullest knowing that we're all set. There's nothing like this cooler air we're seeing right now to cause us all to breathe a little bit easier. Even in 2020.
Aromatherapy Tip:
If you want your home to smell wonderful, consider using scented pine cones in the fireplace; BUT do it the right way or you'll end up with bugs in the house. Here are the instructions copied from "eHow" website. It's a little time consuming but do these smell good! Check it out:
Step 1
Purge the pine cones of dirt and bugs by soaking them in a bucket of cold water for 1 hour. Keep the pine cones submerged the whole time.
Step 2
Remove the pine cones from the water and lay them out on paper towels. Allow the surface water to drain out for one or two hours.
Step 3
Place the pine cones on a cookie sheet. Bake them in a 200 F oven for 30 to 45 minutes, until they are dry and open. Allow the pine cones to cool and continue to dry overnight.
Step 4
Mix 1 part flour and 3 parts water in a saucepan. Bring it to a boil, then remove it from the heat, stirring frequently, until it thickens into a paste. Allow the paste to cool.
Step 5
Add 1 cup of ground cinnamon to a large zip top plastic bag while the paste cools.
Step 6
Coat the pine cones with the flour paste with a foam brush.
Step 7
Place the coated pine cones, two or three at a time, in the zip top bag filled with cinnamon. Close the bag and shake it to coat them.
Step 8
Place the cinnamon-coated pine cones on wax paper. Allow the pine cones to dry for two or three days before using them.
Tip
To use the scented pine cones, toss one or two into the fire. You can use any kind of powdered spice or spice blend you like. Display the scented pine cones in a decorative bowl or basket to add a light cinnamon scent to the room.
Warning
Don't skip the soaking and drying steps -- you could wind up bringing bugs inside.
For more Aromatherapy ideas, check out: https://www.gazellearomatics.com/