hōtoke

Hohepa rainbow beeswax candles, made in Nelson

The end of winter approaches on the calendar and spring's arrival teases. Its feels as if we've experienced a lighter winter than usual... and the drought continues on.

Marking time with new rituals has been key to surviving dreary winter days that start to blur into one another. My favourite rituals have been using candles at dinner time, Saturday morning rides to the farmers market and celebrating the winter solstice with heart and soul. On the solstice eve we joined friends and folks at Te Tātua a Riukiuta (Big King) maunga as the sun began setting. Bagpipes accompanied us to the summit as we quietly reflected on the year that had been. After watching the sun go down over the Waitakere ranges everybody came together to share their intentions with the circle. We warmed our hands and bellies with tea made from foraged leaf and cleansed each other with smudge sticks made from natives in the reserve. We sang together as the darkness crept in.

Only in silence the word. Only in dark the light. Only in dying, life. Bright the hawk's flight on the empty sky.(Lyrics by Ursula Le Guin. Melody arranged by L Cole)

I remember seeing my breath as the circle of people swayed and sang in rounds. But I was

warm inside and my heart was filled with happiness. Winter has been incredibly hard on me

the last few years - and in this space we collectively created to mark the shortest day - I was able to let go of that darkness and feel the relief of its absence this season. It was all the more meaningful to hear and acknowledge what came up for others too. While Big King is not our closest maunga, its wairua has charged our hearts and minds this season.

We've had a not-so hibernation focused time lately. It's been a bit of a busy time sorting quite a few things on the house and garden list. Highlights of home are making a start on fitting some extra insulation (long story short - some actual cowboys did the job last time, and quite the lousy job it was). Teva has been a champ working up in the roof space for hours on end. I pass the squabs up to him and usually start complaining about 7 mins into the task. We had a new skylight installed in the kitchen too. It kinda seems like an extravagant, complete waste of money but maybe I'll change my mind as time goes on, who knows?

In the garden we've planted heaps of new heritage fruit trees care of Forgotten Fruits up in the Mangawhai/Kaiwaka area. There are 10 new guys (peaches, apples, a fig, pears etc). We tried to get a range of fruiting times so the supply will be spread over the season, the idea being that we'll have early, mid and late season peaches for example. Teva has also created two new garden beds just by covering the lawn in cardboard and topping with compost. He's grown the lushest mix of daikon radish (to break up our clay heavy soil) with leafy green mustard. We've been eating the radish leaves tossed into salads and they're not bad. We're also dreaming of collective kimchi making when we're able to invite friends over again.

My other highlights of the season have been seaweed foraging at the beach. Not big lots, but I've had fun with the dog and being out in nature. I've collected rose hips from around the neighbourhood too - perfect for making fresh teas packed with vitamin c. I've sourced new curtains at the op shop and had one made up for us. They should be a lot more effective than the vertical ones we have right now and bring that toasty, warm feeling.  

I've just wrapped up two weeks away from work, getting over a nasty flu and recovering from burnout. I've had the time to read like it's going out of fashion. It's been absolute heaven to stop and switch off completely. I find it can be such a struggle maintaining a balanced life. The experience has been a reminder of the power we hold to choose where our energy goes at any given moment. 

My best winter read was Patrick Jones & Meg Ulman's Art of Free Travel, among others <3

When I've felt up to it, energy has gone into rearranging the house and getting a jump on spring cleaning too. The house has a lighter feel to it and we are ready for the change of season. 

Today Teva and I have planted a frijillion seeds. It's our first sowing, an attempt to extend the shoulders of the season and get in early. We did heaps of corn, spinach, sunflowers, beans, barley, oats and pumpkin. Most of the seeds are from the Koanga Institute and a small handful we collected and saved ourselves from last season. There were also heaps generously gifted from Louise and Dale - thank you! We feel the abundant potential in a very real way. More roots, more microbes, more worms, more bees, more food, more compost. More life. 

I hope your winter has been a goody too,

Charlotte-Rose

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