Winter
Solstice
“No
winter lasts forever; no spring skips its turn.”
Hal
Borland
Today is the Winter
Solstice—the day, in the Northern Hemisphere, of fewest hours of
daylight. In Alabama, the sun is not fully up until almost seven, and
sunset begins around four in the afternoon. It's a very short day,
and a very long night. But here's the good news: even though this day
marks the true beginning of Winter, it is also the turning point for
the light. Beginning tomorrow, there will be an extra minute of
daylight, and as the weeks and months go along, the light will gather
strength. By Epiphany on January 6th, just a couple of
weeks away, you may be able to notice that the day is a wee bit
longer.
For me, one of the great
boons of moving from Florida to Alabama many years ago was the
distinct seasons. I'm not a fan of extremes, neither hot nor cold,
but I missed having seasonal changes when I lived in Gainesville.
Each season has its beauty, and its bounty, and its mood. Winter, as
I've written before, is literally and figuratively, about going
inside—both inside your shelter (if you're fortunate enough to have
one) and inside yourself. These days of darkness are as much of a
blessing as the fruitful, active days of summer if you honor the
season by accepting that this is an introspective time of year.
How will you acknowledge
the turning of the light today? Will you do some small ritual to
express thanks? Perhaps, put out a little extra food for the birds,
squirrels and chipmunks. Perhaps, light a candle at dusk and give
thanks for the fire that has, for thousands of years, provided warmth
and light. Perhaps, make a pot of spiced cider, or mulled wine to
warm your insides. When you watch the sunset today, give thanks that
tomorrow daylight will be one minute longer. Sacred is this season.
Sacred are all seasons. And, sacred are you in each one.
In the Spirit,
Jane
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