Winter is a season for turning inward. When it is too cold to comfortably be outside, we retreat into our houses and invest in making them as cozy as possible. In this winter zine we’ll be exploring ways to retreat even deeper, into ourselves and into our imaginations, as a way to locate meaning and purpose through self-connection during the cold, dark months of the year.

winter magic

There is something about winter that feels fantastical, in ways both pleasant and uncomfortable; the first glittering snowfall is like magic and inspires wonder, while the oppressive darkness and bone chilling cold are more sinister aspects of the season. This capacity to be both beautiful and terrible is part of the reason winter feels so much like a season for fairy tales.

Fairy tales and myths, at their surface, are lighthearted, magical stories for children - especially Disney’s versions of these classic tales. The reality is that fairy tales, in their original form, often tackle dark and disturbing subjects as a way to explore universal truths about the human condition. Narrative and story-telling are beautiful therapeutic ways to make sense of our lives and this world. They acknowledge the very real presence of fear and evil, and they also make room for the hope of overcoming these things.

“Fairy tales are more than true: not because they tell us that dragons exist, but because they tell us that dragons can be beaten.”

— Neil Gaiman, Coraline

Fairy tales and myths allow us to symbolically communicate (with others and ourselves) our experiences and values, to make sense of them through narrative.

As we venture into this theme, let’s first explore this idea together; what kind of story are you telling TO yourself ABOUT yourself?

journal prompts

If you're noticing that you feel a more intense or significant low mood in the colder months, know that you're not alone. It's very common, especially in the Northern hemisphere, for feelings of depression to increase during winter. Sometimes this is referred to as Seasonal Affective Disorder, or SAD.

There are a variety of ways to cope with SAD, many of which are detailed in this article, and in this zine we’ll explore what it might be like to use mythology to inspire our coping skills.

““...a chasm opened in the earth and out of it coal-black horses sprang, drawing a chariot and driven by one who had a look of dark splendor, majestic and beautiful and terrible. He caught her to him and held her close. The next moment she was being borne away from the radiance of earth in springtime to the world of the dead by the king who rules it.””

— Persephone Myth told by Edith Hamilton, Mythology

In Greek mythology, Persephone did not DECIDE to spend each winter season in hell, but that was her reality. She was the goddess of spring but, after being kidnapped by Hades, was forced to spend several months of each year ruling the underworld with him. In many ways, this may feel like your reality too! Winter is hard. But if you’re going to be in hell, let’s take a note from Persephone and figure out how you can at least be QUEEN of hell.

persephone ritual

Here’s an idea for a ritual to help you connect with Persephone, inspire hopefulness, and feel like the queen of hell yourself.

-heat up your space

Make your space warm and inviting somehow. However you like! Draw a bath, get a thick, cozy blanket, or sip a hot drink. Focus on getting your body to a comfortable temperature to banish winter from your bones and from your home.

-surround yourself with beauty

To remind yourself of warmer days and happier times ahead, collect some beautiful objects and set them up around you. You may choose a bouquet of flowers from your local florist, light a nice candle, or put on your favorite album.

-acknowledge the pain

Let yourself connect with the discomfort of this season. Reflect on or journal about the difficult aspects of winter; not enough sunlight, low energy, harder to safely socialize, sidewalks are slippery, the list may go on and on! Cry about it if you need to; your feelings of frustration are valid.

-release and refocus

Visualize releasing your winter heartache. If you’re in the bath, imagine the pain leaving your body and going down the drain with the rest of the bath water. Alternatively, imagine this pain leaving you with each exhale, becoming smaller and smaller.

Turn your attention to the spring that will come. Remember what it’s like to have the sun warm your skin.

Know that this season will end, as it always has before.

Frederic Leighton “The Return of Persephone” 1891

Thanks for reading part one of our winter zine! We hope you’ll check back when we post part two in a few weeks!

Take care,

Lauren and Kenna

Self Mythology: Part 1 - Myths and Fairy Tales