The astronomical winter starts 21DEC 2024 at 4:20 am. To mark the start of winter there was a mini silent retreat on 23DEC 2024 from 9am – 12noon.

While winter can feel gloomy, I take solace in how necessary it is for the plants we look forward to seeing again in spring. Bulbs need to be coaxed into hibernation in cold soil in order to grow and bloom at the right time, while perennials planted in autumn spend the winter months developing robust root systems. And if leafless trees get you down, try to think how amazing a feat it is that decidious trees shed their leaves, because they simply won’t need them, and because the water cells in the leaves would otherwise freeze. It helps me to think of winter as a time when plants and nature can restock, which encourages me to do the same.

Stephen, gardener, Cardiff.

9:00-9:30 sitting
9:30-9:40 stretching/walking
9:40-10:10 sitting
10:10-10:25 stretching/walking
10:25-11:00 sitting
11:00-11:10 stretching/walking
11:10-11:50 sitting-metta meditation
11:50-12:00 breaking the silence, stretching, tea
12:00 – soup and bread