Late November can be a strange time for a practising Pagan. Samhain has been and gone, and with it the decorations and celebrations associated with both it and Halloween. Some people may have started their Winter Solstice or otherwise seasonal decorating, but for the most part, late November is very much an in-between time.

It’s not quite Yuletide. It’s too cold to be autumn anymore. The weather (here in Northern England) is chilly, damp, and prohibitive of the crisp, outdoor walks we loved in October.

November can be, in other words, a bit of a nothing month — four and a bit weeks of gloom, made all the grimmer by being sandwiched between two of the prettiest and most celebratory months of the year.

For us, as a family, this isn’t quite the case. Our youngest’s birthday is in early November, and this year, we had her birthday party late for various reasons. We now have another birthday coming up in less than three weeks, plus Solstice, Christmas with the extended family, and then New Year’s — and I’m already pledged to work on New Year’s Day, so not too much fizz on NYE for me!

Despite the hectic nature of the season, there’s still a grey cast to late November that’s hard to shake. I feel the creeping, despairing touch of seasonal affective/adjustment disorder (SAD) and contemplate spending some hard-earned cash on a daylight lamp… and find out I’m broke. I try to get out for a mental health walk, and a monsoon starts. I think about cleaning my altars for a spiritual boost, and I’m overcome with fatigue.

And I don’t think it’s just me. With that in mind, I did a little research and discovered:

• In seasonal climates, like the UK, many people start suffering from SAD in November
• November is also the time when mock or trial exams start for many students
• For others, the excitement of the back-to-school (or college/university) season has worn off, and studying now feels like a slog
• Working folks may have to travel to work through cold, dark mornings, heavy traffic, and short tempers
• Seasonal illnesses rear their ugly little microbial heads, and many people are spending a ton of energy fighting these off

The curse of Negative November isn’t localised, either. The University of Colorado in the US reported that despite November being the time of beautiful fall colours and Thanksgiving, there’s clear evidence that it’s one of the most miserable times of the year[i]. They used the Daily Misery Index (no, I couldn’t believe that was a real thing, either) and discovered that people were more likely to be online looking for resources on depression, anxiety, stress, fatigue, and pain during November than nearly any other time.

If you’re suffering in late November or early December, it’s time to take action and wave those blues goodbye. One of the things I cover in Practically Pagan: An Alternative Guide to Planet Friendly Living is that human beings are also a part of the planet and need looking after too. Self-care is a spiritual act, and can be a magical or devotional practice, as well.

Try these steps when you’re struggling with the in-between, nowhere times:

• Write down or talk about something you’re looking forward to. Have you prepared for it? Can you do one thing right now that will make that even better? If you’re going on a winter holiday, for example, pack your favourite item of clothing right now and remember how you felt the last time you wore it.
• Check in with yourself, health-wise. If you take regular medication, make sure you have enough in so that you’re not going without or having to traipse out in rotten weather. Ask if your local pharmacy has a drop-off service if that’s appropriate for you. Get any aches or pains checked out, and stock up on whatever remedies you usually have in for the winter.
• Stay mobile. While it’s tempting to lean into cosy hibernation — oh, it’s so tempting — gentle, regular movement will, for most people, boost your endorphins and help you lift your mood naturally. If you can’t get out for a walk, explore chair-based exercise, yoga, stretching, or weights. Speak to a medical professional if you have a long-term or chronic health condition that may interfere with your exercise regimen.
• Create something. Write a poem. Journal. Paint or draw. Make a holiday gift for someone. Sing or bang a drum. You can tie creativity into your spiritual practice. One of my go-to soul refreshers is to write and dedicate a song to one of my tutelary deities. The sense of accomplishment, combined with the spiritual fulfilment of the devotional act, is a wonderful way to fend off seasonal depression.
• Connect with people. I’m terribly introverted and have a hard time reaching out to people. But I always find that when I do, or when someone checks in with me, I feel so much better. Speak to someone you trust, meet for a coffee, send a message, have a phone chat, or even join a local or online group on a topic or hobby you’re passionate about.

What are your favourite ways to stay bright in the darker part of the year? Writing this has been a tonic, and if it helps someone find their way to a happier winter, well, that’s even better.

Remember, if your low mood continues for several weeks, speak to a medical professional — depression is a serious illness and the quicker it gets treated, the more positive the outcomes can be.

Resources:

Mind: Useful contacts – depression

Support groups – Depression in adults – NHS

Useful contacts – Mental Health UKDepression Resources: Support and Help for Mental Health

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[i] November: A Miserable Month | Honors Journal | University of Colorado Boulder

Mabh Savage is a Yorkshire Witch, Pagan author, and musician with a particular interest in Irish spirituality, and folklore from all across the U.K. and Ireland. She’s also a member of the global Covenant of Hekate and has assisted in some fascinating collaborative projects such as working with members all over the world to create a song for Hekate.

Mabh is the secretary of the Pagan Federation Children and Families Team, a group that aims to make life easier for Pagan families in England and Wales. She’s also the current editor of Aether, the magazine for Pagan families.

She’s been a member of the UK Green Party for many years, and believes firmly that it’s possible to reverse the damage being done to our planet with the right focus and action now.

For more details: https://www.collectiveinkbooks.com/moon-books/authors/mabh-savage