Dec. 1 - 24, 2025

Pay in full, in 30 days or in 4 payments:

All alumni of SOTH, FLOW, Hildegard Workshop apply 15% discount: nativity15

All former PAID Fasting Courses participants apply 25% discount: nativity25

If you need some direction and guidance, to discern the best fasting approach for you based on your health, age, and physical/spiritual goals, ask HERE.

As we enter the Nativity Fast, a time of quiet preparation, gentle fasting, and reorientation toward the Light of Christ, we are invited to notice where the inner flame has dimmed under the weight of exhaustion, cynicism, or ineffectiveness. These are not failures, but signals calling us to restore viriditas, the greening vitality of the soul.

“The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light.” (Isaiah 9:2)

Physiologically, burnout disrupts circadian rhythm, hormonal balance, and light–sleep cycles. It’s literally a loss of inner light regulation - melatonin imbalance, cortisol dysregulation, mitochondrial fatigue. Healing begins with restoring the rhythm of light exposure, rest, and nutrient-rich foods aligned with Hildegard’s gentle fasting.

You will follow a gentle, Hildegard-inspired fast with ancient spelt, simple vegetables, warm herbal drinks, and active time in nature, aligning your body with your soul, mind with your heart. Simple but deeply forming practices to bring the Light of the World back to your body, soul and spirit:

• Morning sunlight exposure to reset cortisol and awaken energy.

• Evening candle lighting with Vespers/Evening Prayer (including O, Antiphons) or Compline/Night Prayer to attune to divine rhythm.

From Exhaustion to Restored Light

“I’m drained.” - The feeling of being emotionally overextended and physically depleted by one’s work or responsibilities.
It’s the central component of burnout. Signs:

• Persistent fatigue not relieved by rest

• Sleep disturbances or insomnia

• Headaches, muscle tension, lowered immunity (getting colds often)

• Increased irritability or tearfulness

• Loss of motivation and emotional capacity to care

• Feeling “used up” or “at the end of my rope”

Underlying biology:

• Dysregulation of the HPA axis (cortisol rhythm blunted or inverted)

• Mitochondrial fatigue due to chronic stress

• Impaired glucose metabolism and circadian rhythm disruption

Let your body rest from overstimulation. Less caffeine, sugar, and noise. Replace them with rhythm: daylight walks, herbal teas, candlelight Vespers or Compline at the evening, early sleep, and morning prayer facing the sunrise.

From Cynicism to Reignited Hope

“I don’t care anymore.” - A distant, negative, or indifferent attitude toward work, people, or purpose. Signs:

• Irritability or sarcasm toward colleagues or loved ones

• Emotional numbing, indifference, or bitterness

• Loss of empathy (compassion fatigue)

• Withdrawal from community or spiritual life, apathy

• Feeling “why bother?” about things once meaningful

Neurobiological patterns:

• Overactivation of the amygdala (fear/stress center)

• Reduced prefrontal cortex regulation (less empathy, impulse control)

• Dopamine depletion leading to loss of reward response

The remedy is warmth and light: lighting candles at Vespers or Compline as ritual that settles the heart and mind, reconnecting with hope, fasting from overthinking, and cultivating gratitude and beauty.

Fasting from scrolling, and comparison can thaw the frozen ground of hope. Choose words and habits that bring warmth and kindness.

From Ineffectiveness to Illuminated Purpose

“Nothing I do matters.” - A decline in one’s sense of competence, purpose, or achievement, crisis in efficacy. Signs:

• Decline in productivity or creativity

• Difficulty concentrating or making decisions

• Low self-esteem, guilt, or self-criticism

• Loss of purpose or meaning

• Feeling stuck or trapped

Neurobiological patterns:

• Reduced dopaminergic drive (motivation, goal orientation)

• Impaired executive function (prefrontal fatigue)

• Chronic inflammation affecting cognitive clarity

Fasting from multitasking and over-effort. Focus on one intentional act of service or prayer each day. Let simplicity reveal significance.

BODY: Stop illness processes, detox and cleanse your body, and reset your metabolism. Heal your cells, tissues, and organs. Energize your body.

SOUL: Refocus your mind. Calm your emotions. Stimulate your desires for goodness, beauty, and truth

SPIRIT: Rest in the presence of the Holy Spirit. Receive power for virtuous life from Jesus. Receive love from the Father.