Early-Season Snow Rituals

Dear fellow skiers, riders and general snow lovers: It’s early winter 2012-2013 and we’ve got our work cut out for us. It’s time to pull together and harness the power of positive thinking. Let’s promise each other to act on all possible early season snow rituals in honor of Ullr to help ensure a bountiful snowy winter. Because just in case any of the above works, we need to do it. Positive thinking. There is some good and a smidgen of bad in The Old Farmer’s Almanacoutlook for the Northeast. Click here to see the forecast for this month and next. Or better yet, buy a copy and turn to page 193. Their accuracy rate is said to be 80% on average , which means  that we’ll take the positive forecast and anything slightly negative can fall into the 20% inaccurate category–and we will ignore it. Are you with me on this? Good. Now, the next step is to grab your favorite color highlighter and outline any part of the forecast that bodes well for winter enthusiasts and cross out any part that is negative. The great news is that things look good for December through March. I only had to cross out one word. Hint: it starts with “spr” and rhymes with tinkles. Act on all possible early season snow rituals. Jackson, New Hampshire’s Black Mountain is a prime example of the sort of actions we need to take this time of year. In their effort to set a world record for the largest snow dance, they, along with the Mount Washington Valley Chamber of Commerce, hosted a snow dance.  But this is not about winning a record, it’s about making the snow gods happy. That’s why Carlene from Symmetree Yoga wore a bikini when she led this year’s snow dance. She wore it because she thought it would satisfy the snow gods. That’s exactly how we all need to act now. Do things that you believe will make the snow gods happy. Now, I am 100% certain that the snow gods wanted me to be fully clothed. I am pretty sure all they were expecting from me was that I followed along and did some “snow” salutations.  That’s because the snow gods know that I will continue to pay homage to them during the entire season with other daily rituals.  For instance: Snowflake socks are especially important this time of year. Put them on your feet. Snowflake sweaters. Even if they are bright pink and red, wear them with snowflake pride. We all need to do our part. If you don’t have a ritual of your own, now is the time to start. If you have one, spread the word and get others involved in your practice. Here’s to a snowy and prosperous 2012-2013 winter!