by Blake Herzog
Most of us spend most of our lives indoors, up to 90% of our time. That percentage likely is a bit lower in Northern Arizona, where we embrace the endless natural beauty and the vibes of each of the four seasons, which draw many residents and visitors from more monotonous climates.
You can deepen your connection to our invigorating environment through seasonal rituals, food, decor and more. Adding a dash of sumptuousness will dial up the luxury in your life as well as honor the seasons as they march through our lives.
Fall
Autumn has some of the most established seasonal activities on the calendar with pumpkin patches, community festivals and leaf peeping. You can choose to participate in these rituals or take inspiration from others to invent your own.
Many begin by layering warmer wraps and throws in their living rooms and dens, preparing their homes and the people inside of them for chillier temperatures. Inject richness with perennial favorites like velvet pillows, cashmere throws, vintage fur wraps and wool, or try crafting alternatives like vases stuffed with greenery and some fall color.
Winter
Christmas and Hanukkah are among the most celebrated winter festivals, both occurring around the time of the winter solstice and carrying forward elements from ancient observations of that event.
Soyal is observed by the Hopi tribe during the winter solstice to welcome the sun back with ceremonies depicting katsinam (kachinas) bringing the sun back from the San Francisco Peaks. On or near the equinox you could give some golden gifts like jewelry or shimmery socks and shoes to celebrate the returning light, or buy a katsina doll to display.
Spring
The spring equinox arrives near the end of March and like its autumn counterpart marks a day where daylight and nighttime are about equal everywhere on Earth. It’s a moment of balance that leads into a season of renewal.
Many cultures observe their new year at this time. We can take a cue from the Persian festival of Nowruz by placing at least seven objects connected to your plans and hopes for the year on a table for inspiration — a souvenir or brochure for travel, a blueprint or elevation for your next home, etc.
Summer
The long days of summer begin to wane after the summer solstice, a reminder to take advantage of whatever time is left for summer travel and adventure.
Consider traveling to see firsthand the festivals held around the world to mark the season. Stonehenge’s solstice shadows is a true bucket-list item, while Midsomar in Sweden is celebrated with bonfires and dancing around giant maypoles. Inti Raymu in the Peruvian Andes involves a procession for the Sun King and his wife through Cuzco before they scale a mile-high mountain.
Your options for yearly festival travel demand investigation!
