Distaff Day

Woman with distaff in left hand, and spindle in right hand.

Distaff Day (January7) is named for the distaff, the stick-like tool that held fibers while a woman used a drop spindle to spin thread.

Spinning and weaving were never-ending chores for pre-industrial women; most women and girls would spin thread while also cooking, caring for children, or minding the sheep. Because women were seen always with a distaff in hand, it became the symbol of “women’s work”. 

But during the Christmas season women took a break from spinning. January 7th was the traditional day for women to start back to work, and so was called Distaff Day.

Agenda:
1. Journal queries and spindle meditation

2. Start a fiber project

3. Housework - clean the kitchen

1. Journal queries and spindle meditation:

A student using a drop spindle to make yarn.

The Spirit as Goddess is often portrayed as a spinner: Athena, Isis, and Grandmother Spider Woman are all spinners and weavers. Amaterasu spins and weaves sunbeams. The Three Fates control destiny by spinning the thread of life. Frigga works the heavenly spindle to weave the clouds; she has the ability to feel and see clearly.

So, I celebrate two things today:

• My love of the fiber arts;
• And how I create my own destiny with thought and deed.

What are the threads of my life now and how well do they weave together?
Where can I simplify the pattern? 
Where can I add richness?

I’m not much of a spinner, but I always pull out my spindle on Distaff Day, and spin a little wonky yarn. As I work with it I ask the Spirit to give me the ability to slow down, be present, and see clearly.

2. Start a fiber project:

Every year on Distaff Day I start a new fiber arts project, either hand-sewing or crochet, to connect again with the roots of "women's work" and to keep my hands busy in the evenings (and during zoom meetings).

This year I'm going to continue to piece crazy quilt squares, to use up some of my abundance of fabric scraps.

 

3. Housework - clean the kitchen:

Every year on Distaff Day I kick off a month of deep cleaning. My house has certain mold-related issues that are best done before we get any deeper into winter.  Also, winter is a good time for a few big indoor cleaning jobs.

A note about mold: I used to use bleach against mold, but this year I'm experimenting with safer approaches. The Home Healthy Homes site has a complete list, and I'll let you know what works best for me. Today I'm using borax solution - 1 cup borax to 1 gallon water.

I take it one room at a time, and this week (what's left of it) I'll clean in the kitchen:

• Shine the Sink: Clean the mold off the drainer tray with detergent, then make a solution of 1 cup of borax and a gallon of water in the sink, and let it soak for 1 hour. Use the borax solution to scrub around the rim of the sink and the faucets until they sparkle. Rinse well.

• Scrub the mold from the windows with detergent and warm water, then wipe with the borax solution. Wait 20 minutes and repeat, and do not rinse because borax will help prevent mold from growing again. When it's dry, touch up the paint on the windows (moisture often leaves areas of bare paint around my panes).

• Clean the refrigerator: Remove all the food and the shelves, and clean with a mild detergent.