Hygge Highlights #15
Bringing the season into our homes
I’ve been thinking about “Spring Cleaning.” - Um yeah, about as far as I’ve got.
Lord knows our place could do with a helping hand, somehow there always seems to be something more pressing or inviting to do. We’re not in the position to pay someone to do it. Besides I’m regrettably and annoyingly the kind of person who would clean for a cleaner. How crazy is that?! I’m sure I’m not alone.
After 20+ years of rural living on a dusty road, pets and homeschooling, to maintain if only a feeble amount of sanity, it’s never been a high priority. It’s not to say we live in completely unhygienic and slum like conditions, we cover the basics. Everyone is happy and healthy.
The most magical, hyggelig part of cleaning for me is the embellishing afterward. Setting out a fresh tablecloth, a jam jar of seasonal flowers from the garden and/or a bowl filled with seasonal fruits. Displaying cherished gifts from nature, family and friends. Swapping about various bits and bobs, candles, crystals and the like, as I feel seasonally appropriate.
I delight in creating a seasonal altar each Sabbat, with a few smaller ones dotted around the house encouraging the feel and mood of the current season. Especially through the colder months. Increasingly during Spring and Summer our main seasonal altar naturally graduates outside with us. Displaying newly found and grown treasures next to Buddha.
It really doesn’t matter what time of year it is, truth being we rarely return home from a walk, the beach or trip out without treasure in our pockets to display. Even a walk around the property - a small gift from nature regularly catches our eye and awakens the inner squirrel or magpie instinct to gather it up. Perhaps more so when the kids were smaller admittedly, when I would have numerous teeny jars, vases, upon vases of their foraged tussy-mussy gifts. Speedwell, daisies, red/dead nettles, wild violas and lupin, buttercups and of course our most beloved “dandeleos,” often a few feathers in the mix too. Still now, fallen petals, wind blown blossoms, mossy nests, pine cones (a truly warming gift!) are lovingly brought to me.
A friend this week remarked “In fact, the world is, and always has been my altar.”
Our world is most definitely awe inspiring and something to celebrate. I can’t help myself but to bring some of the season’s offerings inside. How about you? Do you decorate or display items, foraged or gifted and befitting the season, each new season?
Last week I asked - “How would you describe your current microseason?” with my ongoing fascination with the 72 microseasons.
Responses came from up top, in the Northern Hemisphere, thank you so much ladies. I’ve shared links to their inspiring Substacks, well worthy of a hygge moment.
Susan said “I am feeling calm and grounded after spending so much time by the sea” and was welcoming the “transition into the new season and starting a new creative project.”
Susan writes “Happy Surprises” - igniting and nurturing a regular creative practice with beautiful colourful watercolours and art prompts. Encouraging us to get outside, doodle, paint and sketch, along with sharing her recent travels in the UK. Do take a look!
Jenna shared "the week when New Mexico behaves like Newfoundland." after spending some time with her parents in a small mountain town in Northern New Mexico. “The fog was so unreal and so unusual. I love this question, Bron! It would be so fun to chart our own microseasons for a few years and watch how they change.”
Jenna writes “Witchcraft and Metaphysics" - the practicality of witchcraft partnered with the deep pondering of metaphysics. I’ve really been enjoying her exploration of various archetype and tarot cards. Always leaving me with much to ponder.
"Hygge Highlights" is a journal of magical moments, thoughts and feelings. Sharing little snippets we have experienced that felt a bit special or heartwarming in some way. I share small moments of my week which gave me a sense delight and wonder, along with some of your moments generously shared through comments and chats.
If you enjoyed receiving this week’s edition, please consider sharing your own hyggelig moments with us by leaving a comment and/or sharing the post with others. Hearing from you really means an awful lot to me and obviously helps me having something to share next time. Thank you!
Seasons Blessings 💫
Bron
Yesterday in my city garden I heard a sound of a bird that is one I know from being in native bush, it’s song connects me to places away from city life. I’ve never heard it here before, and I wish I could be sure what type of bird it is. Perhaps a tūī but I’m not sure if that’s really possible where I live. It was magic to hear, I looked to find it but wasn’t able to spot it. It was a moment of magic. Xx
Oh my gosh, thank you for the mention, Bron! 🥰🥰🥰 What a delightful surprise that was! I really love that quote from your friend about the world being their altar. That resonates so much with me. And (this is veering off topic) I believe each of us is the living altar for our ancestors. So, altars everywhere! 😁 Also, that it is one of the most magnificent hag stones I've ever seen! Really marvelous!