Gifts of the Darkness

Here we stand in the darkness of the year.    The Wheel of Life turns bringing us to a new birth of the Sun.  But the darkness is more a season than a moment; a season offering us the opportunity to turn within.

There is something about darkness that makes us feel uncomfortable. 

Is it the unknown?

Or the sense of being alone?  Alone rather than lonely. 

But in our alone-ness we can call on our allies.  Perhaps your allies are your ancestors; those whose stories you unfold as you live your life.  Or a descendent who will hold the story you are now spinning.  Perhaps your ally is a Goddess or God or spirit.  Do you have an animal guide or angel who sits on your shoulder?  Call upon them during this dark time.  Invite them to hold this space with you.

For in truth, I believe in the gifts of Darkness.  I believe that all of life begins in darkness.  Animals of all sorts, if they are born alive or come from eggs, or split one from another, they all begin in darkness.  Seeds waiting to germinate begin in darkness. Roots resting from last year’s growth gather new life in darkness.  The very soil that feeds us, teeming with life we can only imagine, it too is in darkness.  The compost we make and liberally spread throughout our gardens to help them grow more vigorously, both real and metaphorical, is darkness itself.

So at this time of year, when Darkness is so profound, take a moment to stop.  Listen.  Watch.  Invite the darkness into the secret places in your heart, in your life.  And ask for wisdom.

Now, listen deeply to hear the voice of darkness.  What comes may be thoughts or images, colors, feelings or possibly even words.  They may not say what you thought you wanted to hear.  Invite yourself to be surprised!

For in the fullness of time, darkness speaks a truth beyond the boundaries of our human knowing.  But the pathway it offers opens into tomorrow.

So breathe into the darkness. Trust what comes.  Seek beauty in the form of truth.

And know that tomorrow the sun shall rise.  Watch the days slowly, imperceptibly, lengthen.

And remember treasure this time between, this time of darkness.  For it comes but once in the year.  Take it as the gift it wants to be.