....the dark

Yogis,
The winter solstice arrived on Saturday with our half of the earth tilted to its furthest point from the sun. A day she shined on us for a mere nine hours, twenty-six minutes and eighteen seconds. Leaving us in more than 14 hours of dark. 

The darkest time of year.

Each day moving forward will offer us under a minute more of light but it will be quite some time before we notice. The dark is a guest who is here to stay awhile.

Dark is given a bad rap. Nightmares, ghosts, bats, evil, shadows and sadness. Horror films always take place in the dark and we fear looking under the bed. Yet dark is necessary.

The dark asks, or sometimes forces us to do less. To sleep more. To step back from the chaos. Whether we want to or not. We can deny it, ignore it or wish for it to go away, but a better approach may be to change the perspective. Perhaps embrace, or at least acknowledge darkness.

See it.

Without the dark there would be no need for candles……and how I love to light candles. No one would see the twinkle lights that sparkle each evening on my front porch as the sun sets. I couldn’t put pajamas on and sneak to bed at 8:00 to read.

I wouldn’t feel the beams of the moon shining on me while I sleep.

We wouldn’t know the awe of a star filled sky.  Or the coziness of a fire with its woodsy smell, radiant glow, crackles and pops. Without the dark we would never witness a sunrise.

During this dark season, when we do receive a welcome ray of sun from low in the sky, we are more appreciative of her beauty.

Dark is also considered spiritual soil. With fewer hours to see the world with physical eyes, we can use this time for inner reflection. Coming face to face with what lurks on the inside. Like our fear of outer dark, the inner can hold the same. Be sure to bring the soft light of compassion and gentleness with you on this journey. If you choose to go, growth happens.

What do you see in the dark?

Closing my eyes,
SARAH