Christmas is just around the corner. In a couple more sleeps. Here, we are experiencing the longest day of the year, it’s hot and we can smell the smoke from a fire not too far away from the town where we live. The supermarket shelves are full, then empty, then full again. The garden needs constant watering. There’s food preparation, and housework.

What if, we didn’t put those expectations on us, and we spent the holidays reading, watching television, hanging out in the pool, or the beach, or in front of an open fire? The world wouldn’t end. People would still talk to us. There’d still be food and drink. We could even buy our own presents.

Let’s say, instead of expensive Christmas presents and feasts, we pop some money into a jar to make our wishes come true. In place of new year’s resolutions, we plan exciting escapes, relaxing getaways, and time for adventures.

I’m thinking we could do it, one step at a time.

Still spend time with family and friends, swap secret Santa’s and share a meal. Making memories can be low key. Be creative and innovative with our celebrations.

It’s a shame that wisdom like this comes to the old crone later in life. But better late than not at all. Otherworldly wisdom, and the knowledge of our ancestors – that nature is essentially entwined with magic and that magic runs in the veins of all of us.

We’ve been given this gift of life, and the gift of magic. Let’s celebrate, not just at Christmas time.