Darkness and Light — How to Live With the Changes and Thrive

Darkness and light are much on our minds at the time of the Winter Solstice.

And the contrast of darkness and light is the foundational theme embedded in the rituals of this season in so many traditions.

So, celebrating and welcoming the light is what this holiday time is about in the northern hemisphere, no matter what your specific tradition may be.

You see this in the Menorah, the lights on the Christmas Tree, the Winter Solstice bonfire, and the many other traditional evocations of light at this darkest time of year.

Darkness and light…

In ancient times, the experience of the days shortening and the light seemingly withdrawing from the earth was a frightening one.  Imagine what it felt like, having no idea that what you were experiencing was part of a cycle. And imagine not knowing that the sun and its warmth would return. 

Those increasingly darker nights must have been terrifying.

Even now, many feel the effects of the longer nights and dearth of daylight, sometimes feeling depressed, lethargic, and generally being less productive and energetic.  It can be a challenging time of year, and it is no accident that so many festivals and celebrations are in play now.  For generations, they have helped people get through this time.  What helps you through?

So, keep these things in mind…

Here are three things that I find useful and energizing to remember during dark times:

• The light will return.  This is one phase of a cycle and you can count on its changing.

• There are many things that the dark has to teach.  This can be a time of rich inwardness.  Embracing the dark will bring you gifts untold!

• Remember, there are lights you can light whenever you choose to.  For starters, appreciate yourself with nurturing messages and see the glow that follows. It will illuminate your path.

On this day of the Winter Solstice, I am aware of the depth of the dark and also love knowing that the light is returning even as I write this.  Yet, there are still dark nights ahead.  So, I leave you with this favorite poem, along with my good wishes for this winter holiday time:

To Know the Dark

To go in the dark with a light is to know the light,
To know the dark, go dark. Go without sight,
and find that the dark, too, blooms and sings,
and is traveled by dark feet and dark wings.

Wendell Berry

How do you feel about the dark?  The light?  How do the shifts between dark and light affect your energy? And how do you explore the dark and bring light into your life?

For more ideas…

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