A warming ritual for Winter writing

SC76: A little bit of a spell for getting right back to it

Feb 07, 2026

Oh winter! Has one month passed? Have two? A long time ago I learned I couldn’t count1, so I don’t know. Winter has moved from feeling merely inevitable to being intensely present. Cold skies make days seem shorter and self-contained. A (true) sense that there is nothing beyond this moment emerges. My mind feels like a windscreen cracked with frost.

I have an aspirational image: I am sitting in the front room of my apartment, surrounded by books and the perfect amount of warm, yellow light. I have eaten vegetable soup, and now am further heating myself with camomile tea. In my hands is my guitar and I am writing a brilliant song.

This has not been my winter.

I spent its first weeks in Brisbane—a decidedly anti-Winter kind of spot—and wrote no songs. Instead, I got ‘pissfit’2 and ate pub food in the sun. Now I’m back in Brooklyn for this frigid middle, and also writing no songs. I guess I’m just too cold.

With this in mind, for February Song Club I’ve concocted a warming ritual to get the songwriting bloods flowing again.

Sounds good and fun right?

Okay!
Lucy

i. Warming Ritual

Mull - Steep or simmer or warm a concoction dear to you. Perhaps chai, or perhaps Glühwein? It’s preferable that it be on a stove top.
Move - Put a song on the stereo3. You should desire swaying or gentle head nodding in response. ‘I Sing In Silence’ by Goat is a good choice. So is ‘Coconut’ by Harry Nilsson4. Whatever it is, you put it on repeat, okay?5
Step - Select your vessel and pour until filled with desired amount. Hold your vessel tenderly in both hands. Turn your gentle movement into more of a stepping motion. Be careful. You don’t want to spill. I’m telling you now!
Sip - With all necessary caution, bring the vessel to your lips and drink. Repeat three and four until warm.
Glance - Just out of the corner of your eye, sneak a look at your writing instrument6. How do you feel towards it? Repelled or compelled? Just notice for the next minute or so.
Chance - Whether repelled or compelled, pick up your writing instrument. Use the rhythm of the song. Strum, thump, type, write to it. All you must do is move your hand(s). Continue until you find your own rhythm and meaning.