I'm not sure if this will appeal, but I am quite a hippy tree hugger. I have a tree in the garden that attracts lots of birds - I also have feeder for them. Anytime of the day they are feeding.
Anyway this is long but I've copied it from Brigit Ana Macneils face book. I actually went on retreat with her in the woods in 2019 - it was amazing. And this is the type of thing I need to do - to be with this season if at all possible. Even in a very mini way.
"Each winter, I have made it a little ritual, or tradition, to head outside and bring gratitude to my more than human community.
I mainly focus on the Deer as it seems so fitting for this time, but also because of the beautiful ancient story of Mother Reindeer that I have grown to love.
The mother reindeer, who keeps her antlers in the winter rather than shed them, was said to have the strength and love to be the protector & guardian of the sun, holding the light in her antlers and pulling the sleigh with the sun goddess in across the sky. The mama reindeer was not only a symbol for protection, but also of fertility, when she came into the land you knew it would be fertile and seeds would grow.
So each year, especially on the winter solstice, we make lovely deer cookies, or balls as they are better known.
Made from seeds, nuts & nut butter. All mixed together with melted coconut oil, then cooled and shaped.
This is an ancient tradition that I’ve adapted a from recipe from, really you can use what you like as long as it’s friendly to those animal bodies.
We went through woods that deer often roam through, and left them on stumps, in nooks, crannies and on branches.
Hoping that not only the deer, but other creatures such as squirrels, birds, badgers & mice may benefit too.
This has become a tradition that brings me closer to the season and my wider, more than human community.
It feels good to honour life in this way, to give thanks for all the beauty & medicine the other creatures bring.
This is a tradition that I hope to keep doing all my life, each winter and especially on the solstice, giving thanks to mama deer, and, for this amazing earth, her creatures and beings.
Bringing that gratitude into my home, hearth and heart, and placing it and speaking it into the forests.
What I love about doing this when it’s solstice, is that when done at dusk, I feel like Santa, knowing in the morning, after our longest night, these gifts will be scattered in the forest."
In response people have said they put extra treats out for at this time of year. I think I will do this. I have become quite isolated really despite having a really wide circle of people up until quite recently. Maybe connecting to the immediate wildlife (the birds squirrels and let's face it, rats in my garden), will help.