Tending to the Body in the Dark
A Guide for Honoring Collective Grief
This winter has been filled with wisdom. Each session, conversation, and connection has transformed me. I’ve found myself in deep reflection, grieving, and holding space for the new beginnings unfolding around us.
Winter is a deeply feminine season governed by the water element. Winter teaches us to float, swim, and find our way to solid ground (SPRING). It shows us how to grieve, let grief move through us, and ultimately change and grow us. It prepares us to begin again—seeds grow in the dark of winter. We are those seeds. We are growing in the stillness, though it may look different. This growth is purposeful and mysterious.
As we journey together through this season, my intention is to send you weekly Sunday letters and guides to support you and connect with you on this path of self-care, reflection, and renewal.
Grounded Care: Somatic Care
“Like heals like.” This saying, shared by many Indigenous communities, reminds us that healing begins where we are—where we are rooted. Just as the earth nourishes the seed in the dark, so does our body hold the potential for growth in times of stillness. To care for the body is to honor it in all its forms, especially in moments of grief. Allow yourself to be with your body this season—slow down, feel the weight of your emotions, and trust that your body is tending to the deep work even if it doesn’t feel visible. Movement, breath, and rest are all part of the sacred rhythm.
Winter Body Care:
Foot Baths-soaking in water, leaning in: If you’ve had a session or conversation with me, you know how much I love foot baths. Soaking your feet in Epsom salt for 10-20 minutes is a wonderful way to release toxins the body may be holding onto. It’s a gentle yet powerful form of care. I first learned this practice while caring for my grandmother when I was a young girl, and it’s been a comforting, restorative ritual ever since.
Making Space for Grief- Letting Emotions Flow Like Water: So much is shifting collectively and individually. We are all in a season of transformation. The body needs space to express grief. I invite you to set aside 5-10 minutes to honor what’s moving through you. Play a song that resonates with your grief, sadness, or anger—allow yourself to truly feel. Give yourself permission to be human and to feel all the emotions that come with this time.
Drink Water: We tend to drink less water in the winter, but hydration is key. Returning to our philosophy, “like heals like,” ensuring we stay hydrated is essential. The body is working hard to process the physical changes of the season and the emotional and energetic shifts happening collectively. Even when it doesn’t feel like it, the body needs water to support digestion and overall function.
Mental Health: Play & Curiosity as Medicine
In times of grief and growth, we often forget to play. Yet, curiosity and play are powerful forms of medicine. When we allow ourselves to be curious—to wonder, explore, and question—we free up space for healing. Whether through art, nature, or simply a moment of silence, play invites us to reconnect with joy, even when it feels distant. What sparks your curiosity right now? How can you invite lightness and exploration into your days, even in moments of heaviness? Lately, I have been using water colors to give my mind a rest…. What is restful for you?
Spiritual Care: Practices and Rituals for Connection
Sacred Expression: You are the creative director of your life. This season invites us to reflect on what we want to grow and what we’re ready to release. What seeds are you planting? What roots are you ready to let go of? What are you tired of carrying, and what do you want more of in life? Give yourself space to journal these questions, allowing them to surface naturally. Then, create a sacred space for yourself—perhaps a quiet corner, a candlelit room, or a nature walk—to return to these reflections and water your seeds.
With love,
Dariela <3
