winter equinox preparations: practices, foods to eat, books to read
hello.
winter arrives like the hush of a first snowfall, wrapping the world in a stillness and solitude that feels mildly melancholic. this season forces us to slow down, reflect, reset- a time where readers and introverts alike bask in the glory of these shorter, colder nights.
each season, i write a list of foods, practices, books to read, and rituals to partake in that align with the equinox.
winter happens to be my favorite season, similar to how the months of november and january bring me comfort and warmth, despite their reputation for being gloomy and grey. this season is meant for projects. project books to read, project home renovations and rearrangements. creative projects and major life projects. perhaps a time to prepare for a career change, start a new academic endeavor, begin a new relationship with a lover or oneself. the stillness and solitude are a gift. perhaps the most powerful gift of all— time.
for those of us who live by the cycles of the earth, winter is not a pause, but rather, a but a season rich with its own rituals, flavors, and practices. a time of introspection and preparation, a moment to savor the smallest joys-steaming mugs of tea, piping hot cups of black coffee. the grey skies and stormy weather, the glow of candlelight, and the way frost transforms a simple windowpane into a work of art.
consider this letter a small guide for welcoming winter, inspired by food, rituals, and the quiet warmth this season brings. i’ll be sending out a full letter of winter requisites shortly after christmas.
winter foods
heart of winter is found nestled in between the walls of the kitchen where the cold of the season meets the warmth of the stove. winter foods are grounding, earthy, and steeped in tradition—roasted root vegetables, creamy soups, hearty breads, and desserts that fill the house with the scent of spices. citrus becomes a kind of seasonal jewel, cutting through the season’s heaviness with a sharp clarity, reminding you that first blooms and new beginnings are around the corner.
in winter, cooking becomes slower, more deliberate, and more rewarding. soups simmer for hours, their aromas filling the house with a promise of comfort and warmth amidst one’s solitude. bread dough rises by the warmth of the kitchen light, ready to be baked into golden loaves that steam when sliced. citrus, in all its glorious forms—clementines peeled at the kitchen table, grapefruits broiled with brown sugar, lemons turned into curd—is a reminder of brightness even in the season’s darkest days.
fruits and vegetables in season:
oranges, lemons, clementines, grapefruits, butternut squash, sweet potatoes, parsnips, carrots, turnips, fennel, winter greens, pomegranates, persimmons
savory:
roasted parsnip soup with crusty rye bread, lentil stew with caramelized onions, potato gratin layered with cream and garlic, butternut squash congee with chili oil, roasted carrots with tahini and dill, shepherd’s pie with a golden crust of mashed potatoes, winter citrus salad, mushroom stroganoff rich with cream and herbs
sweet:
lemon pound cake or lemon bars, orange olive oil cake, gingerbread cookies spiced with cloves and nutmeg, fig and almond tart with a buttery crust, persimmon pudding dense and fragrant, chocolate hazelnut babka swirled with ribbons of sweetness, sticky buns, coffee cake, cinnamon rolls
drink:
mulled wine steeped with cinnamon and star anise, hot buttered rum with a touch of nutmeg, spiced apple cider warm and fragrant, earl grey tea lattes with a hint of lavender, thick hot cocoa crowned with marshmallows
these winter foods carry with them the weight of tradition and the promise of togetherness. they remind us that even in winter’s stillness, there is abundance to be found. whether you’re roasting vegetables for a simple dinner, baking a loaf of bread to share, or peeling a clementine for your lover, the foods of winter have a way of making the darkest days feel brighter.
winter rituals
rituals during winter are about creating warmth—physical, emotional, and spiritual. as the world outside slows and quiets, these small acts can ground us in the present, offering a sense of peace and connection.
writing and journaling
a season for introspection. take time to journal and write until your hearts content. look ahead to the coming year and recalibrate if need be. this act of reflection allows you to honor the cycles of life and create a sense of purpose as the new year begins.
reading projects
now is the time to pick up that book you’ve always wanted to read, but didn’t because you felt intimidated by it. you have time. challenge your brain and hide away in the warmth of your home to dive into life changing literature that’s both complex and rewarding. i recommend the the brothers karamazov by fyodor dostoevsky.
host a winter dinner party
there’s something intimate and special about gathering loved ones on a cold winter evening. invite friends or family for a candlelit dinner filled with warmth and simplicity. serve a comforting soup, warm bread fresh from the oven, and a dessert that feels like the essence of winter, such as a spiced apple galette or a chocolate cake with hints of orange and cinnamon. the act of sharing a meal creates a moment of connection and celebration that feels uniquely wintery.
cleanse and reset your home for winter
just as spring calls for a deep cleaning, winter invites its own kind of preparation. take down your christmas decorations when the holiday is over, create a cozy, inviting space is a ritual of care, both for yourself and your surroundings. clear the clutter then layer your home with warmth— candles on every table, natural elements like pinecones, dried orange slices, or evergreen sprigs tucked into vases. this is your cocoon for the season, a place to retreat and reflect.
light candles and create small ceremonies
lighting a candle in winter is more than an act of ambiance; it’s a quiet ceremony, a moment to pause and honor the stillness. whether it’s during a meal, while journaling, or as you wind down for the evening, the flicker of a flame reminds us to savor the present.
cook seasonally and mindfully
visit your local farmer’s market and let the produce guide your meals. spend an afternoon simmering a stew, baking a fragrant cake, or roasting vegetables, letting the act of cooking become a grounding, meditative practice. food prepared mindfully has a way of nourishing far beyond the physical. some cookbooks to consider: the silver palate and the cold weather cooking books are great.
make a simmer pot
a simmer pot is one of the simplest ways to bring the essence of winter into your home. fill a pot with water, cinnamon sticks, star anise, orange peels, and cloves, and let it simmer gently on the stove. the steam carries warmth and fragrance through your home, creating an atmosphere of comfort and nostalgia.
make seasonal crafts
create ornaments, garlands, or natural decorations using pinecones, dried fruit, and herbs. this simple, grounding activity ties you to the season.
books to read during the winter solstice
the white book by han kang
a poetic meditation on life, grief, and the color white, han kang’s sparse, lyrical prose feels like the quiet beauty of snow. it’s a book that lingers long after you finish.
agnes grey by anne brontë
the quieter brontë novel, perfect for reflective winter reading. agnes grey’s struggles as a governess reveal a restrained but deeply moving story of resilience and morality in a harsh world.
meditations by marcus aurelius
a timeless work of stoic philosophy, this collection of personal reflections offers wisdom on resilience, self-discipline, and finding tranquility amidst life’s storms. its themes of inner peace and quiet strength resonate deeply with the stillness of winter.
a winter book by tove jansson
a collection of stories by the beloved author of the moomins captures the quiet magic and introspection of winter. from tender portraits of island life to meditations on solitude and the beauty of the natural world, jansson evokes the season’s stillness with warmth and precision. each story offering glimpses of wonder, nostalgia, and the quiet miracles of everyday life in winter’s embrace.
netochka nezvanova by fyodor dostoevsky an unfinished novel that offers a glimpse into the early development of dostoevsky’s genius. it tells the story of a young girl, netochka, whose life is marked by suffering, loss, and the search for connection. with its focus on psychological depth and the complexities of human relationships, the book hints at the themes dostoevsky would later fully explore in his masterpieces.
to the lighthouse by virginia woolf
a deeply introspective novel about time, memory, and the passage of seasons. woolf’s poetic prose feels like the slow rhythm of winter, reflecting on life’s quiet moments and the spaces between them.
crime and punishment by fyodor dostoevsky
a bleak russian winter mirrors raskolnikov’s moral and psychological descent. the novel’s stark exploration of guilt, redemption, and human frailty makes it quintessentially wintry and deeply introspective.
pale fire by vladimir nabokov
poetic brilliance and narrative gamesmanship, pale fire blurs the line between creation and obsession. framed as a 999-line poem by the fictional poet john shade, with an elaborate and often bizarre commentary by his neighbor, charles kinbote, the novel unfolds in a snowy landscape of reflection and mystery.
films to watch during the winter solstice
ratatouille (2007)
a tale of winter conte d’hiver (1993)
phantom thread (2017)
the umbrellas of cherbourg (1964)
spirited away (2001)
moomin (1990)
portrait of a lady on fire (2019)
bambi (1942)
fallen angels (1995)
lost in translation (2003)
101 dalmatians (1961)
winter, despite its stillness, is a season brimming with life if you know where to look. the warmth of the kitchen, the flicker of a candle, the pages of a book, the comfort of good cinema— it’s in the quiet of the ceremonies we create and the traditions we continue throughout generations.
okay, that’s all for today. if you’re not ready to become a paid subscriber and you have the capacity to leave a tip, that would be so appreciated.
i love you.
bye.
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Just the best season. Thank you for this post, it's lovely.
A beautiful read. Thank you 😊