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YULE 2025

WINTER WHISPERS: COZY TIPS FOR THE DARK DAYS

Cityplot's Guide to Resting, Reading, Listening & Watching

On the 21st of December, we passed Yule — the longest night of the year, a sacred pause in the wheel of time.

Deep in winter, the earth rests, and so do we. This is the season of stillness, of turning inward, of allowing silence to speak. We slow down, conserve our energy, and listen. It is a time for reading, listening, watching — for stories, reflections, and quiet inspiration.

As we remain in this slower rhythm for a little while longer, honoring winter's wisdom, we've gathered tips from Cityplotters and friends. These are gentle offerings to accompany these dark, nourishing days — until March, when we rise again into movement.

Podcasts to keep your ears warm

  • Eva’s tips: The Ologies podcast is ALL about everything! Lots of nature, biology, and plant subjects. This recent one is for owl lovers 🦉🦉🦉 — you know who you are!
    Listen: Strigology (Owls) with Alexis Grinde

    The Nature Of podcast explores what nature teaches us about creativity, connection, and change. Don't miss the recent episode with Robin Wall Kimmerer (Braiding Sweetgrass) on learning from nature and understanding that the land loves us back.

Books to cuddle up with

  • Alexandra’s pick: The More Beautiful World Our Hearts Know Is Possible by Charles Eisenstein

    "To the humble, whose invisible choices are healing the world."

    Many of us struggle and feel we're not doing enough to change the course of the multiple crises in the world. Charles weaves together science, history, philosophy and spirituality to shine a warm light on what's still empowering, hopeful, and keeps us moving forward.

  • Sameena’s pick: Spiritual Ecology: The Cry of the Earth

    This groundbreaking book brings together voices from Buddhism, Sufism, Christianity, and Native American traditions, as well as physics, deep psychology, and environmental disciplines, calling on us to reassess our relationship with the Earth. Contributors include Thich Nhat Hanh, Vandana Shiva, Wendell Berry, Joanna Macy, and many other spiritual and environmental leaders.

    The Zen Master Thich Nhat Hanh was once asked what we need to do to save our world. "What we most need to do," he replied, "is to hear within us the sound of the earth crying."

    Our present ecological crisis is the greatest man-made disaster this planet has ever faced. A central but rarely addressed aspect is our forgetfulness of the sacred nature of creation and how this affects our relationship to the environment. This collection shows the deep connection between our ecological crisis and our lack of awareness of the sacred, offering a spiritual response that's vital if we are to help bring the world as a living whole back into balance.

    Sameena's quote from deep ecologist John Seed:

    "May we turn inwards and stumble upon our true roots in the intertwining biology of this exquisite planet. May nourishment and power pulse through these roots, and fierce determination to continue the billion-year dance."

  • Kalliope’s pick: Coming Back To Life by Joanna Macy & Molly Brown 

    “Our aim has been to unblock the feedback loops, so people can trust their own experience and speak the truth of what they see and feel and know is happening to their world” 

    Coming back to Life is about our personal and collective numbness, grief, rage and pain. Instead of needing to fix or overcome these tabooed emotions, Johanna’s message is that they are honest and true. Honouring our pain helps to revive our response-ability - our ability to respond to the world around us and what we care most about. How good it is to be reminded that grief is the voice of love and of belonging. Coming back to Life is alchemy for the feeling that we are much too small and too alone to face life in all its chaos and its beauty. 

    A perfect wintering read, to warm heart and spirit with what we already know - we are part of the web of the life.

  • Sylvia's pick: How to Fall in Love with the Future by Rob Hopkins

    In November, we had an unforgettable evening with Rob Hopkins and over 100 friends of Voedselpark Amsterdam. Organized by Schumacher Action Labs, we dove into the question: "How to Fall in Love with the Future?"

    We traveled together to 2030, imagining the best possible future. We pictured Voedselpark Amsterdam as a thriving, regenerative, community-led landscape where nature, food production, and care for each other are inseparably connected.

    This evening reminded us why we do what we do. The dream of Voedselpark Amsterdam is a shared dream, and everyone can help make it real. This grassroots spirit is exactly why we organize the Urban PDC in Amsterdam — the more people we inspire to get to work from the bottom up, the greater the ripple effect. Together, we can achieve so much.

  • Suzanne’s pick: The Green City Witch by Lynn Shore.

    It's arrived late in the year just in time for winter reading. This book is even richer and more full of treasures than expected. A guide to bringing nature and magic to city life, it is packed with wisdom and ready to be your companion in discovery. You'll find rituals we need to ground ourselves, a modern herbal reference section, folklore and magic. Can't wait to dive in.

  • More winter reading:

    Eating to Extinction - Dan Saladino
    The Nutmeg's Curse - Amitav Ghosh
    The Enchanted Life - Sharon Blackie
    Anything by Michael Pollan (try The Omnivore's Dilemma or The Botany of Desire)
    Anything by Robin Wall Kimmerer (botany meets spirituality)
    Anything by Dave Goulson (all about insects!)

Photo by Scott McCann (creative commons)

FILMS TO WATCH BY THE FIRE

Watch tip:

  • Nederland van Binnen (Inside the Netherlands) 

    The documentary series Nederland van Binnen follows people behind local initiatives working toward a more sustainable future. The fourth episode about Amsterdam focuses on soil and follows Voedselpark Amsterdam and the struggle for the Lutkemeerpolder.

    The series shows how democracy doesn't just happen in meeting rooms, but in everyday practice: in community centers, at kitchen tables, during protests, and in encounters between residents and government. There's also an inspiration and dialogue guide to use these stories as a springboard for reflection and real action.

    [Watch the episode]

SEE YOU IN SPRING!

For now, we're embracing the winter — resting, dreaming, and gathering inspiration by the fire. We hope these tips keep you cozy and nourished through the dark days.

But spring is already stirring! In March, we're kicking off our Get Down Get Dirty and Urban PDC course in Amsterdam at Stadsboerderij Osdorp. In Berlin, our Inner Nature gatherings continue every 2nd and 4th Thursday evening and Berlin’s Leanne and Delia will be diving into the fascinating connection between soil and gut health with a special two-part workshop on March 18 & 25.

And of course, we can't wait for Reclaim the Seeds Festival on March 14-15 at Fruittuin van West, Amsterdam — our absolute favorite event of the year, where seeds, community, and spring dreams come together!

Want to stay in the loop? Keep an eye on our agenda page, follow us on Instagram, and subscribe to our newsletter for all the latest updates and surprises.

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Produced by:
Sylvia Avontuur, Suzanne Oommen, Ann Doherty and the rest of the Cityplot team

 
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