Winter whispers of stillness, deep rest, and the kind of healing that asks us to lean into mystery rather than seek easy answers. In the Celtic tradition, winter—the season marked by the festivals of Samhain and Imbolc—is understood as a threshold time, a liminal space where the ordinary gives way to the sacred. And within this sacred season lies a powerful symbol of transformation: the spiral.
The spiral is not merely a design carved into ancient stones at sacred sites like Newgrange. It’s a symbol of the veil between worlds, a reminder of the cyclical nature of life, and a map for how we might approach our own healing. By partnering with the energy of winter, we can use the spiral as a model for transformation, moving inward toward deep rest and outward toward renewal.
Spirals in Myth and Ritual
In Celtic mythology, spirals often signify a journey—not a journey with a fixed destination but one that deepens with every turn. At places like Newgrange in Ireland, spirals are etched into the stones that align with solar events such as the winter solstice. For the Celts, this wasn’t coincidence or mere decoration. These symbols marked the turning points of nature, reflecting the turning points within the soul.
The spiral also represented the veil between worlds, a portal into the Otherworld. This was a space of mystery, transformation, and divine wisdom. To follow the path of the spiral was to step into the unknown, to cross a threshold into a place where what was hidden could be revealed. In this way, the spiral becomes a sacred map—a guide through the darkness and back into the light.
Winter as the Season of the Spiral
Winter itself is an inward spiral. The long nights and cold days invite us to turn away from outward busyness and sink into our inner landscapes. This is not a passive state but a potent one.
During this time of year, we are invited to spiral inward to confront the shadows we might otherwise ignore. The energy of Samhain—the festival that begins winter—is about honoring the dead, both literal and metaphorical. It’s a time to acknowledge what has ended and what needs to be released. As we move toward Imbolc in February, the spiral shifts outward again, carrying the seeds of renewal and the faint promise of spring.
The inward spiral of winter is not about retreating in fear or resignation but about consciously entering the depths. It’s here that we can meet our ancestors, not in a literal sense but through the wisdom they offer. Here, we can plant the seeds of what we hope to grow, knowing they need time in the dark before they can sprout.
The Spiral as a Gateway to Healing
Healing often asks us to walk a spiral path, crossing thresholds repeatedly. Unlike linear progress, the spiral reminds us that we will encounter the same themes, wounds, and questions over and over, each time at a deeper level. It’s not about fixing ourselves or arriving at a perfect state but about integrating the layers of who we are—past, present, and future.
Winter offers a profound opportunity for this kind of healing. The stillness of the season mirrors the stillness required to sit with what feels unresolved or uncomfortable. The darkness provides a cloak of safety, a space where we can gently unravel what has been tightly wound.
This work is neither glamorous nor immediate. Healing in the spiral requires patience and trust. It means allowing ourselves to be in the unknown, to listen for whispers of guidance rather than demands for certainty. It means letting ourselves rest—deeply and without guilt—so that our bodies, minds, and spirits can begin to mend in ways we cannot control or predict.
My Own Journey with the Spiral
The first time I encountered the spiral as a metaphor for healing, I resisted it. I wanted a straight line, a clear path. I thought that if I worked hard enough, I could move from one point to another without looking back. But life, in its wisdom, had other plans.
Each winter, I find myself drawn back into the spiral. I’ve learned to recognize its pull not as a setback but as an invitation. When the days grow short and the nights stretch long, I feel the spiral calling me inward—to revisit the losses I’d rather avoid, to sit with the questions I’d rather answer quickly. It is uncomfortable, yes, but it is also where I find the deepest healing.
One winter, I spent weeks sitting with the grief of a friendship that had ended. I had told myself I was “over it,” but the spiral brought me back to its edges. In the quiet of those dark nights, I allowed myself to feel the sadness I had been carrying. Slowly, almost imperceptibly, I began to integrate it, to weave it into the fabric of who I am. By spring, the sharpness of the grief had softened, and in its place was a new clarity about the kind of relationships I wanted to cultivate.
Partnering with Winter’s Energy
So, how do we partner with winter and the spiral for our own transformation? It begins with slowing down. The world tells us to push through and be productive even when our bodies and spirits are begging for rest. But winter offers us a different rhythm, one that aligns with the natural cycles of the earth.
Here are a few practices to consider:
1. Create Space for Stillness
Set aside time each day—even if only five minutes—to sit in silence. Let your mind and body settle. Notice what arises without judgment. This simple act of stillness can open the door to deeper insights.
2. Honor What Has Ended
Take time to reflect on the year that has passed. What have you lost? What have you released? Create a ritual to honor these endings, whether it’s lighting a candle, writing a letter, or spending time in nature.
3. Listen for Guidance
The spiral invites us to listen, not with our ears but with our hearts. Pay attention to dreams, intuitions, and the quiet nudges of your inner knowing. What wisdom is emerging from the depths?
4. Plant Seeds for the Future
As you move through the inward spiral, consider what you want to carry forward. What intentions or desires are beginning to take shape? Write them down, draw them, or speak them aloud. Trust that they will grow in their own time.
5. Rest Without Guilt
Give yourself permission to rest deeply. Winter is not the time for constant doing; it’s the time for being. Whether it’s taking naps, reading by the fire, or simply staring out the window, let yourself embrace the stillness.
The spiral reminds us that healing and transformation are not linear. They are cyclical, layered, and often mysterious. Winter, with its quiet power, offers the perfect setting to engage with this process. It invites us to spiral inward, to rest and heal in the depths, and to emerge renewed when the time is right.
As you move through this winter, I invite you to consider: How can you use this season as a threshold moment? What might the spiral have to teach you about your own journey? And how can you partner with the energy of winter to find not only rest but profound healing?
The answers will not come all at once. But if you trust the spiral—if you trust winter’s quiet wisdom—you may find yourself transformed in ways you never imagined.
THIRSTY FOR WONDER: Anne Marie Cribben is a passionate recovery coach and spiritual companion based in Washington, DC. As the founder of Thirsty For Wonder, she offers 1:1 coaching, spiritual companionship, and recovery support rooted in compassion and empowerment. Creator of The Wellspring: A Celtic Recovery Journey, Anne Marie blends the Celtic calendar with sobriety, connecting participants to ancient wisdom and nature’s rhythms. A fierce advocate for sobriety as liberation and self-love, Anne Marie challenges the targeted marketing of alcohol to women and promotes authentic, joyful living. Her approach goes beyond addiction recovery, fostering a life of vibrancy and fulfillment.
In her personal life, Anne Marie enjoys baking, cooking, poetry, being a Swiftie, weight lifting, reading, embroidery, and creating mocktails. She treasures time with friends and embraces creativity in all forms.
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