As we sink deeper into the colder months and winter officially arrived last weekend, I feel that gentle pull inward, to long cozy evenings indoors and just a quieter, more thoughtful pace for awhile, especially during these days after the rush of Christmas. There’s a relief and deep exhale with the solstice, knowing that slowly, bit by bit, the light will return once more.
To celebrate the solstice last weekend, we had a lovely bonfire down the hill by the pond. I planned to be very thoughtful about it, to maybe make a list of things to let go of and release them into the fire, with some tobacco that was gifted to me and thanks to Creator for what has been, full of hope for the future and what is to come. In reality, I forgot about these things amidst the hustle and bustle of the day, and after enjoying the fire for awhile, it ended abruptly when en ember flew into my eye (it’s fine now!). Such is real life. Anyway, the solstice fire is our small way of celebrating the return of the light and our connection to the natural world. What a thing - to be alive and in this beautiful place and present to all that is. And so, the light will return once more, then the darkness - it is the way of things. And what a privilege to be connected to it all.
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New Year and all of its energy find me of two minds - on the one hand, I love the sense of a new beginning (much like Septembers!) with hope and optimism and best intentions. I very much dislike when it is approached with a tone of “whip yourself into shape” “fix yourself” and anything that is trying to sell something. Ugh.
My two cents for this new year - whatever you choose for 2020, whether you have lofty goals or none at all: love yourself and encourage yourself as you would a good friend. Don’t expect miracles. Take it one day at a time. Look around you for beauty and good and you will find it.