Until 1917, there was a second fasting period in the Catholic Church. It began after St. Martin's Day on November 11 and ended at Christmas. Today, all that remains of this tradition in our part of the world is the old custom of eating a goose on St. Martin's Day. The Christmas goose, which is served in many Christian families at Christmas, is also a relic of this tradition. In Christian Orthodox circles, however, the Phillipus or Christmas fast is still observed today.
From a health perspective, it makes perfect sense to fast again before the cold winter months. Fasting allows our digestive system, especially the intestines, which are an essential part of our immune system, to regenerate very well.
When fasting, the fluid in the tissues is also freed from toxins and the metabolism is optimized. Less fatigue, lower susceptibility to infections, and an overall better, more alert attitude towards life are just a few of the positive effects.
In addition, people who have fasted in late fall or early winter report that they find it much easier to recover after excessive Christmas celebrations. They also find it easier not only to enjoy various festive meals during the Christmas season, but also to digest them without discomfort. After the holidays, a short fasting period of 12-16 hours quickly reminds the body of the repair and clean-up work that needs to be done and prompts it to carry this out.
For winter fasting, I don't recommend the strict tea or juice fast, but rather a mild soup fast. This involves a small portion of warm breakfast, a mildly spiced cream of vegetable soup, and vegetable broth in the evening. This takes into account the slight change in metabolism that occurs in winter and simply makes you feel better.
We will begin on November 22, 2019, with a group soup fast in Mattsee. At the Mattsee yoga studio http://www.tuina-claudia.at/, the fasting group will once again be accompanied by supportive yoga exercises and meditation.
For those who decide at the last minute, click here to register. – www.lebensimpulse.info
The Stiftskeller also has something to offer those who are fasting: to keep the time required for fasting to a minimum, the Stiftskeller https://www.stiftskeller-mattsee.at is offering fasting soup for lunch or takeaway during the fasting week from November 22 to 29.