The Longest Night of the Year

December 21, 2008

Today is the Winter Solstice, the longest night of the year in the northern hemisphere.  Solstice was and still is celebrated by many earth-based religions as the time to embrace and celebrate the darkness while, at the same time, we turn toward the hope and promise of the lengthening daylight and the strengthening of the sun.  Human beings yearn for the sun and the daylight, giving rise to our celebrations of candle lighting at this time of the year.  Even though we turn toward the sun, how can we embrace the darkness and welcome its gifts into our lives at this special time of year?

Darkness doesn’t represent only evil and the absence of hope.  Darkness is gestational, as in the darkness of the womb.  Darkness is the quiet of the night, a rest for weary eyes and limbs.  It is a time of renewal, of looking inward, of preparing for the spring that will assuredly arrive. 

Amidst all the revelry of this happy, holy holiday time, take some time to ponder what you are gestating. What are you preparing for?  Is it your best life, or your best year, or just another good turning of the sun?  Is there music in your heart that must sing?  Is there poetry that you must pen? Is there a dance for your happy feet? Consider all these things and ponder them in your heart. Welcome the blessings of the darkness.

This is not the time to make big plans – that comes next week as we celebrate New Years and consider how to shape the coming year.  Now is the time to cherish your dreams and let them simmer in the giant cauldron of your soul.

Happy Solstice!


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