Winter Solstice!
Winter is here! This solstice marks the beginning of what is known as astronomical winter, not meteorological winter. And maybe it marks the beginning of something else. What if it was to mark the beginning of a time of wonder and magic? Why would I be making this assertion? Winter months bring with them cold temperatures, snow, icicles, frost, and the hope that spring will come again. First, hope is magical in what it can accomplish. Take a look at some of these quotes:
“We must accept finite disappointment, but never lose infinite hope.” - Martin Luther King, Jr.
“Hope is being able to see that there is light despite all the darkness.” - Desmond Tutu
“Hope is the thing with feathers that perches in the soul - and sings the tunes without the words - and never stops at all.” - Emily Dickinson
“Hope is important because it can make the present moment less difficult to bear. If we believe that tomorrow will be better, we can bear a hardship today.” - Thich Nhat Hanh
Hope carries us through hard places, which some days is magical. When talking about magic, we are not looking at the type of magic that happens as if we could wave a wand and have something appear. We are looking at the magic of the human soul and spirit to move through hard times and emerge again.
Snow, icicles, and frost bring with their beautiful shapes, purpose, creativity, and wonder. Think of how a child looks at snowflakes and tries to find the latticework of the snowflake, then maybe plays in the snow with freedom and joy. The snowflake not only serves a purpose within nature but so does the latticework. It happens to take the form of some beautiful, creative pattern.
One final thought for us to consider on this day. Solstice comes from the Latin sol, meaning “sun,” and, sistere meaning “to stand still.” For a few days right before and after the solstice, the path of the Sun across the sky seems to freeze as the change in its noontime elevations is so slight that the path of the Sun appears to stay the same. There are two ideas that nature asks us to remember. First, that change can sometimes happen slowly and in small steps, which is okay. Second, maybe there is wisdom in stopping to spend some time in liminal space. Liminal space gives us the time and space to reflect and not have to jump right into the next “thing.” Each of the seasons gradually comes upon us. Seasons don’t happen in an instant or overnight. Transitions are not always easy. What they are, though, is a time of acknowledging change. When we are able to move with change, like the earth and her changes of seasons, we free up the energy and creativity to make our way through. When we resist, we cause more stress for ourselves and miss the lessons and nuances of the transition.
WELCOME WINTER!
Snowing with a black background.
take action today moment:
Consider inviting some of these feelings, memories, and ideas into the coming days. Take some time to slow down and reflect. If it happens to snow where you are, take a moment to look at a snowflake, and look at it like a child would without expectations, just curiosity and wonder. And remember the power of hope, and draw inspiration from mother earth as she brings us into winter with the promise of spring.