five things friday: why our Christmas tree is still up
Published: Fri, 01/16/26
January 16, 2026
Hello there,
(A little last minute reminder, the last day to order
Your Arcana Year readings is this Sunday. Details will be below.)
Our Christmas tree is still up. Beside the truth that we like it, there are other reasons why the tree is still standing.
Shall we?
1.
It is still so pretty!
It hasn't started dropping needles, but is starting to get a bit dry, so probably this weekend it will go. The combination of so much rain dampness, and barely turning the heat on over the holidays has keep this little guy fresh and healthy for a long time. Each year the tree lets me know when it is ready to leave, and this year it has wanted to stay, and stay, and stay. I'm not upset about it at all.
2.
We are still in the depths of winter and the nights, while ever so slightly getting shorter, are still long. Having the warm glow of the promise of more light is potent symbolism. Especially as things here in the US become ever more divided, dangerous, and fascist.
What is your
light in the dark these days?
3.
Yes, we can create that twinkly glow in other ways then out of season decorations, and we will- but truly, the tree just make us happy. That is enough of a reason.
Many of us with people pleasing natures can default to
other peoples opinions and expectations rather than our own happiness. There was a time I would have been embarrassed, not told you, or have taken the tree down against my own desire, but it is so much more fun to let that go.
Is having a Christmas tree still up in mid January a bit silly? Maybe. But, whimsy and silliness are powerful medicine in challenging times. I for one, need some extra doses.
Dare to be a bit silly in another's eyes for the sake of your own delight.
4.
In a consumer culture that is always pushing the next season upon us before the current one has fully arrived, it feels heretical to hold on to them a bit longer than what is deemed
"normal".
It is strange that feeling into the season at hand and staying with it until it naturally moves into the next is considered by the over culture to be odd. Give me odd then. Also strange is that this organic shifting of seasons should be dictated by the linear calendar rather than sensing and feeling it, or that it should be the same for everyone.
The energy of mid-winter and the blooming daffodils heralding spring do not need to be in opposition. I do not need to choose, you do not need to choose. We can enjoy the dance of it all.
I guess my point to all of this is to let what makes you happy, make you happy. It builds resilience and hope. It is fun. It does not take away from the serious concerns of life, but it does help us make it through them.
- Information about your Arcana, what it represents, and what it means that it has come forward for you
- The gifts offered by your Arcana
- Keywords of your
Arcana to use as touchstones or words for your year
- Ways to work with and get to know your Arcana, a curated a playlist, and a Pinterest board of card depictions.
Bonus: A 12 month journal. customized for your Arcana. Each month has inspiration and prompts for deepening your relationship with yourself and your Arcana.
