SEASON OF LIGHT

Inevitably, the wheel of the year turns with the nuances of the seasons hardly noticed in the blur of our busy days. “Next year,” we say, when we realize that we’ve run out of time to try that holiday recipe, connect with friends or revel in a winter sunset. Collecting small joys takes us out of survival mode and into wide-awake living. Pausing to sip from winter’s steaming cup of comfort can be the perfect way to begin a new chapter that prompts us to come back to the center.

In the ancient world, fire festivals marked holy days celebrating the sun’s promise of return and supplied felicity in a time of hardship. Today, something inside our ancestral memories makes us crave celebration as we rosy desert mornings and snowy sapphire twilights. Pointing out December constellations over a beach or lacing up our boots for a brisk walk helps us to unplug from the world’s problems. Sprinkling heart-healthy spices in our morning coffee opens a gloomy day on a lovely note.

Winter can feel long, so go ahead and treat your senses; buy a few yards of red velvet to sleep on or pick up that novel you’ve been planning to read. Live and give a little more deeply. Feed the birds and feed your soul.

Celebrating the Soul of Winter

by Marlaina Donato wrap the year’s end in shiny ribbon, ethereal lights and scented candles. Singing, chanting or caroling this time of year—“old-fashioned” pastimes—were ancient elements of winter’s revels that invited benevolent energy and chased away bad luck. While most of us no longer grace our neighbors with song, raising our voices to any capacity can be an offering, an invitation to hope and beauty. Singing multicultural songs with the kids, writing a spontaneous prayer or sharing seasonal or funny stories naturally boosts the immune system and helps to fight off the winter blues.

Winter has its own jewel-toned beauty that rivals summer’s most dazzling hour if we pay attention: ruby fruits baked with brown sugar, Marlaina Donato is an author and a composer of ambient holiday music. Connect at WildflowerLady.com.

Revels Around the World:

n The celebration of Soyal by the Hopi people of northern Arizona centers on purification, dancing and inviting the favor of the Kachinas, or protective nature spirits. n The ancient Persian festival Yalda celebrates family time and the triumph of the sun, with people staying awake to see the sunrise and eat foods such as pomegranates and nuts. n The Chinese festival of Dong Zhi, or the “arrival of winter”, is an ancient celebration of labor and the closing year. n The Ukrainian celebration of Malanka,or Orthodox New Year, is a type of Mardi Gras involving masks, costumes and singing from house to house.

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coming in the january

Health & Wellness Issue

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 1

Holiday Paint and Sip – 6:15pm. With Jen Barratt, founder of Gaudy Giggles Paint Parties. Get step-by-step instruction on how to paint something beautiful for your family, friends, or wall at home. All materials supplied. $35/person. Cherry Republic, 221 Bridge St, Charlevoix. To register, must text Jennifer: 817-808-5973. Tinyurl.com/6rdjaeyd.

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 2

Acrylic Pour Painting – 5:30-7:30pm. With Heidi Finley. Perfect opportunity to get creative. All items make wonderful gifts too. Make Glass Ornaments. $50, all materials included. Charlevoix Circle of Arts, 220 Clinton St, Charlevoix. Pre-registration required: CharlevoixCircle.org.

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 3

Online: Stop Eating your Feelings (and all that

food!) – 12-1pm. A Foundations of Wellness for Women Conversation. Through discussion and roleplay with the FWW team (Dr. Suman Tewari, Jen Sprague, Liza Baker), learn how to handle relationships during the holidays, navigate some common holiday scenarios, deal with awkward social situations in a stress-free way, tune in to your emotions and prepare with mental rehearsals. $12. More info: 734-418-2188 or bit.ly/stopeatingyourfeelings. Free Community Yoga – 6pm. All are welcome for this vinyasa flow class. Dharamsala TC, 869 Robinwood Ct, Traverse City. Registration required: 231-421-3808 or DharamsalaTC.com.

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 4

Cookie Walk – 9-11am. Among the thousands of cookies, you will find a dazzling array of your favorite flavors and shapes. In addition to the cookies, there will be beautiful handmade quilted items, warm handmade felted mittens (adults & children), and hand-knitted hats (adults & children).$7/pound. First Congregational Church of Charlevoix, 109 Mason St, Charlevoix. 231-547-9122. chxucc.org.

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 8

Downtown Charlevoix’s Ladies’ Night – 10am8pm. The holidays look different this year and shopping local is more important than ever before. Various shops will be offering specials. Part of the fun is to fill out a wish list at your favorite stores to make gift giving easy for your loved ones. A chance to earn entries for the Gift Local Holiday Shopping Contest Participate. Downtown Charlevoix. Downtown Charlevoix.com. Online: Great Lakes for Sale Discussion – 6pm. An exclusive conversation with author Dave Dempsey on Great Lakes for Sale, his must-read book about attempts to privatize our public waters that he has just updated and re-released. Free. Register: Tinyurl. com/5w6m3rkn. Holiday Jazz Concert – 7-8pm. Steve Stargardt Trio with special guests Claudia Schmidt and Bill Sears. Charlevoix Public Library, 220 Clinton St, Charlevoix. CharlevoixLibrary.org. Pottery Painting – 5:30-7:30pm. Fun for families, friends or and evening to yourself. All items make wonderful gifts too. All classes include colored glazes, brushes, supplies, step-by-step instructions and professional glaze and firing. Acrylic painting available by request. See website for project details. $40-$60. Charlevoix Circle of Arts, 109 Clinton St, Charlevoix. Pre-registration required: Charlevoix Circle.org.

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 11

Holiday Crafts for Families – 10am-12pm. Activities include wreath making and decorating for the older kids and adults, as well as a bevy of nature crafts for younger kids. $5/kids’ crafts, $10/ wreath making, $15/both. Grass River Natural Area, 6500 Alden Hwy, Bellaire. Registration required: GrassRiver.org.

Reiki 1 & 2 Training – Dec 11 & 12. 10am-5:30pm. With Jo & Jeff Currier. This thorough, hands-on training combines lecture, discussion and real-life experience. Practice time includes giving and receiving a complete reiki session using all the hand positions. Higher Self Bookstore, 313 E Front St, Traverse City. Pre-registration required: 231-9415805 or HigherSelfBookstore.com. Winter Sounds Holiday Celebration – 5pm. Family-friendly celebration of the season, with hot cocoa and cider, a warm bonfire, magical winter hike through the woods, and an inspiring outdoor performance from a local high school choir. Free; $10 suggested donation. Michigan Legacy Art Park, 12500 Crystal Mountain Dr, Thompsonville. 855995-5146. MichLegacyArtPark.org.

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 15

Downtown Charlevoix’s Men’s Night – 10am8pm. Various shops will be offering specials and free gift wrapping. To make your life even easier, stores will have Wish Lists on hand from your ladies who came out last week. Additionally, this is your chance to earn entries for the Gift Local Holiday Shopping Contest. A chance to earn entries for the Gift Local Holiday Shopping Contest Participate. Downtown Charlevoix. DowntownCharlevoix.com.

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 16

Dabble in the Arts Series – 6-8pm. Learn how to paint on glass and create a beautiful fun holiday ornament with local artist Sharon Smithem. No experience necessary. All materials included. $40. Charlevoix Circle of Arts, 220 Clinton St, Charlevoix. Pre-registration required: CharlevoixCircle.org.

SATURDAY, JANUARY 29

Shadow Fest – 10am-5pm. Celebrates the best of winter. With numerous fun activities, there is something for everyone. 109 Mason St, Charlevoix. Facebook.com/CharlevoixShadowfest.

ongoing events

sundays

Girlz Empowered Workshops – 11am. For girls ages 6-17 who want to learn how to show up as their best selves every day in every way. Sessions include yoga, meditation, gratitude practices, self-care, anti-bullying, anti-racism and more. Details: Good VibzYoga.com/girlzempowered. Men’s Circle: Stories in Council – 6:30pm. 1st Sun. An open group of men who come together in a safe, confidential space to share and gain from each other’s experience and presence. Free. Yoga Bellaire, 106 W Cayuga St, Bellaire. YogaBellaire.com.

mondays

Cancer Care Support Discovery Call – 6-6:30pm. For those looking to incorporate a holistic, functional element of care into their cancer treatment plan by working in conjunction with your oncologists, surgeons, primary care physician and physical medicine practitioners. More info: MIHolistic Med.com.

wednesdays

Online: Conscious Leaders Group Coaching – Thru Dec. 3-4pm. A place to receive continuous guidance for leading with compassion and flow. Includes 2 monthly calls, where you can bring questions or issues to be coached around. Learn about your blind spots, tackle your growth edges, and build resilience for your leadership. $222/mo. AmbrosiAlanimals.MyKajabi.com/offers/Fcot2cjT /checkout. Yoga in East Park – 8:30-9:30am. With Charlevoix Yoga. Weather permitting. $20. East Park 400 Bridge St, Charlevoix. CharlevoixYoga.com. Weekly Facebook Live with Dr. McSwain – 5:306pm. More info: MIHolisticMed.com. Mindfulness and Meditation Circle – Thru Dec. 5:30-6:30pm. Every week is different as we learn about the art and science of mindfulness. Co-led by Aria Everts and Eric McDonald. Donation. Yoga Bellaire, 106 W Cayuga St, Bellaire. YogaBellaire.com.

fridays

Sacred Drumming Circle – 7-9pm. 2nd Fri. No experience necessary. No drum necessary but feel to bring an acoustic item of your making. Earth Blessing will start each event. Free, but donations accepted. The House of Bear, 4242 Co Rd 633, Grawn. Tinyurl. com/dzpvap92. Event will reconvene when we have a winter site or until the spring when we restart it.

saturdays

Indoor Farmers’ Market – Thru Apr 30. 10am-2pm. Presented by The Village at Grand Traverse Commons. Free admission. Mercato, 830 Cottageview Dr, Traverse City. TheVillageTC.com/farmers-market. InterPlay: Dive Deep into Creative Self-expression – 3-5:30pm. 3rd Sat. An active, creative way to unlock the wisdom of the body. Through simple improvisational forms, it uses movement, sound, storytelling, stillness, and contact to provide a powerful forum for creative expression, self-exploration, connection and play. New Moon Yoga, 10781 E Cherry Bend Rd, Traverse City. 231-421-3120. SoulWaysHealing.com.

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ADVANCED WELLNESS

EARTH LABS

317a E Front St, Traverse City 231-421-1490 EarthLabsHeal.com

Subtle modalities including sound, light, frequency and thermogenic therapies to enhance and transform your quality of life. Our techno-therapy will reduce pain and restore energy. See ads pages 19 and back cover.

CBD PRODUCTS

MY CBD

Kelly Young MyTCBD.com

All-Natural CBD products. We source from only organic, environmentally socially responsible companies that believe in cruelty-free testing. Life is too short to feel anything less than your personal best. Ask about our distributor options where you can be your own boss. See ad page 7.

PURELY CBD

1112 E Front St, Traverse City 231-421-1070 PurelyCBD-TraverseCity.com

At Purely CBD Traverse City, we strive to provide our customers with top-quality products that help serve their personal needs. As a locally owned business, we are dedicated to caring for our community and prioritize your overall well-being. See ad page 25.

CHAGA PRODUCTS

U.P. CHAGA CONNECTION

906-282-0787 MidnightSpcl_59@yahoo.com UPChagaConnection.com

Freshest, cleanest, wildest organic Chaga available in the Upper Peninsula. State certified. Im mune-Boosting Superfood. For centuries, people have used chaga mushrooms for medicinal purposes. Packed with antioxidants, its extract may fight cancer, chronic inflammation, improve blood sugar and cholesterol levels. See ad page 24.

COACHING & COUNSELING

ARIA MAE EVERTS

Coach, Facilitator, Healer Aria@AriaMae.com AriaMae.com

Spiritually integrative coaching, healing and retreats for Conscious Leaders. In-person and virtual personal development for those who envision a world where all life is honored. See ad page 18.

COOKING & TEA BREWING

SPICE & TEA MERCHANTS

145 E Front St, Traverse City 231-947-7423 SpiceMerchants.biz/traverse-cityspice-store

Providing the world’s best herbs, spices and teas for your kitchen. We carry over 200 spices from everyday use to the most exotic as well as over 120 different teas. See ad page 12.

FRESH MILK HERD SHARES

SHARED BLESSINGS FARM

7291 18 Mile Rd, Marion 231-743-2286

We are a family farm focused on healthy soils to produce healthy animals so they can produce healthy raw milk for your good. Taste to know the difference. See ad page 20.

GIFT CERTIFICATES

URBAN OASIS SALT SPA

545 S. Division Suite 117 Traverse City 231-938-6020 UrbanOasisSaltSpa.com Give the gift of health and beauty this holiday season. Treat a loved one to our dry salt therapy, massage, detox, organic facial services, or exclusive salt room made from 15,000 pounds of Himalayan pink salt that supports overall health and wellness. See ad page 9.

GRASS-FINISHED BEEF

SHARED BLESSINGS FARM

7291 18 Mile Rd, Marion 231-743-2286

We are a family farm focused on healthy soils to produce healthy grass-finished animals rich in minerals and omega-3s and omega-6s with real fat that is good for you. See ad page 20.

HALOTHERAPY

URBAN OASIS SALT SPA

13709 S. West Bayshore Dr, Traverse City 231-938-6020 UrbanOasisSaltSpa.com Dry salt therapy, massage, detox, organic facial services, exclusive salt room made from 15,000 pounds of Himalayan pink salt supports overall health and wellness. See ad page 9.

HEALTHY PET

SQUARE DEAL COUNTRY STORE

900 Woodmere Ave, Traverse City 231-946-5030 SquareDealCountryStore.com

Our knowledgeable staff is here to help you find the best food, treats and products for your pets. See discounts page 27.

HOLISTIC MENTAL WELLNESS

KELLIE ZIEHM

Kellie.Amare@yahoo.com 734-344-2339 AmareMentalWellness.com

Come join my team with this ground floor distributor opportunity with the only holistic mental wellness company in direct sales. I’m also looking for healthcare professionals to join our influencer program. See ad page 23.

THE GROW STORE

90 N U.S. Hwy 31 S, Traverse City 231-421-5191 Facebook: The Grow Store Traverse City

Serving Traverse City and the Northern Michigan region since 2009. Specilizing in organics, hydroponics and lighting systems for the indoor grower. A locally owned, service-oriented company. See ad page 25.

LESS ANXIETY NATURALLY

EARTH LABS

317a E Front St, Traverse City 231-421-1490 EarthLabsHeal.com

Advanced technologies in the sound and light lab ease anxiety and relieve chronic pain. Enhance your mood and bring balance to the limbic system. See ads pages 19 and back cover.

NATUROPATHIC INSTITUTE OF THERAPIES & EDUCATION

503 East Broadway St, Mt. Pleasant 989-773-1714 Contact@NaturopathicInstitute.info NaturopathicInstitute.info

Educational programs offered: Natural Health Program: four years (one weekend a month); Massage Therapy Program: one year (two weekends a month); Holistic Doula Practitioner Program: six months (one weekend a month). Individual classes available. See ad page 3.

PERSONAL & SPIRITUAL GROWTH WORKSHOPS

INNER LISTENING™ WORKSHOPS

Rev. Julie Chai 231-709-5597 InnerListening.me

Inner Listening™ workshops for compassionate self-awareness, presence, serenity, love, and joy, offer you the theory, practice, and support to move beyond emotional reactions and into deep healing, compassion, and empowerment. See ad page 21.

THE SCHOOL OF AMBROSIAL ANIMALS

Aria@AriaMae.com 774-578-2762 AmbrosialAnimals.com

Ambrosial Animals is a Spiritual Development Program for Conscious Leaders - an initiation for those ready to step into their missions more powerfully. See ad page 18.

SCHOOL / EDUCATION

NATUROPATHIC INSTITUTE OF THERAPIES & EDUCATION

503 East Broadway St, Mt. Pleasant 989-773-1714 Contact@NaturopathicInstitute.info NaturopathicInstitute.info

Educational programs offered: Natural Health Program: four years (one weekend a month); Massage Therapy Program: one year (two weekends a month); Holistic Doula Practitioner Program: six months (one weekend a month). Individual classes available. See ad page 3.

CELEBRATING 27 years in THE business of