Before Sparkle...there's Stillness

As November draws to a close, the world outside begins to whisper instead of sing. The air carries the faint scent of frost, the trees hold their breath, and even the wind seems softer — as though nature herself is settling beneath a blanket of quiet.

Here at Wickwood Cottage, the light feels different now. It flickers through windows and pools in corners, golden and slow. This is the pause before the sparkle — that gentle hush before the bright bustle of December.

We often rush from autumn straight into Christmas, but there’s something precious in this in-between time. It’s a moment to rest, to prepare, and to remember that even the brightest lights begin in stillness.

🌙 Honouring the Quiet

In the garden, the faeries have folded their wings and tucked themselves close to the earth. Mushrooms sleep beneath moss, foxes curl into their burrows, and the last of the rosehips gleam like little lanterns in the cold. Everything is conserving energy, waiting patiently for the light to return.

We can do the same. This is a beautiful time to draw inward — not to hide, but to replenish. Let the darker evenings be an invitation rather than an interruption.

Light a candle or a wax melt, pour a cup of tea, and let your thoughts settle like falling snow. Notice how the soft glow fills the room and the gentle scent begins to weave its calm. This is ritual in its simplest form — and it’s enough.

🕯️ Simple Rituals for the Season

Here are a few ways to honour this quiet transition before the festive sparkle arrives:

• Light with intention: Choose a fragrance that comforts you and let its glow remind you that warmth can always be rekindled.
• Write a few words: In your journal, note something you’re grateful for — or something you’re ready to release before winter begins.
• Bring nature in: Gather pinecones, bare twigs, or a sprig of holly. Place them by your warmer or candle as a small altar to the turning season.
• Breathe: Close your eyes for a few moments and simply breathe. Feel the peace of this slower rhythm settling into your own.

🌲 A Time to Prepare for Light

Stillness is not the absence of movement — it’s the gathering of quiet strength. Just as bulbs sleep before they bloom, this pause allows us to store our own light for the days ahead.

So, before the sparkle truly begins, let yourself be still. Enjoy the flicker of flame, the warmth of your mug, and the gentle hum of peace that fills the room.

Because soon enough, the lights will twinkle, the ribbons will rustle, and laughter will spill into the air once more. But for now, let’s rest… and prepare for the light.

Until next time...