New Moon Letter 🌑 darkest season playlist

New Moons are a time for new experiences, so here is a new playlist I made for you.

I listen exclusively to instrumental, ambient, and lo-fi music while I work and write. The genres vary: Celtic jigs, vibey electronic lo-fi, bossa nova, bass-heavy DJ mixes, Ghibli soundtracks… My most-listened-to lately is my 'spooky’ playlist while I write my book. Last October, I wanted something suited to spooky season that I could listen to while working (my ‘scorpio szn’ and ‘spooky szn’ playlists are in high rotation in October, but I can’t work/write with vocals). It started with the Coraline soundtrack and expanded from there; mostly more soundtracks from horror movies and some spooky vibes I downloaded from the YouTube Audio Library. (Do not underestimate the range and quality of that resource!)

But it’s December, and I love Christmas music. I pride myself on my curated ‘xmas’ playlist, which includes a wide range of artists and genres, many original songs, the most unique covers of classics, and plenty of hidden gems. Catch me shakin’ my ass as I decorate my Christmas tree (white, with gold himmeli ornaments, if you were wondering) to a cover of “Feliz Navidad” and twirling gaily to Kelly Clarkson belting out a Christmas romance song. Ya, December is the only time of year I feel romantic. Give me all the Hallmark movies and seasonal love songs!

To my point, eventually; December is quite literally the darkest time of the year. We celebrate around the winter solstice because it feels like there’s no hope left; it’s cold and dark, and we’re tired. Halloween (Samhain) is indeed spooky season, sure, but hear me out: Yuletide is truly, historically, traditionally, the spookiest season. Yule is the darkest day, the longest night, “the hinge of the year when things do not fit together as well as they should” (Angela Carter, “The Company of Wolves”). Santa may be the mainstream star of the show these days, but it doesn’t take much digging to find he used to come with some pretty dark, scary friends. ‘Tis the darkest, spookiest season.

And so, a playlist for those of us who embrace the darkness of Yuletide, who love dark, moody music but also love a Christmas classic.

Greetings from Krampus!

darkest season

Listen on Apple Music

Listen on Spotify

Notes: The Apple Music version includes more songs because that is what I use, and there are some Apple Music-exclusive songs in there (though, tragically, it won’t publicly share uploaded songs, which misses out on some unique stuff I got from other sources). I recommend throwing it on shuffle on either platform, as I did not create them in any order.

You probably won’t hear from me again this calendar year, but I will have some book updates for you next time!

Happy Holidays!

Remember- the light is returning soon enough. Embrace the darkness while it’s here; rest, rest, rest. Then celebrate the light. 🌞

.tish