WINTER SOLSTICE Dear Body

Dear Body at Winter Solstice   Dear Body In the north, it is the evening of the new moon closest to the Winter Solstice The darkest night of the year, even devoid of moonlight! What does this mean? Food supplies for animals in the wilderness of the north become scarce  Bears, Ground Squirrels, Woodchucks, Bats, Skunks, Raccoons, Snakes, Turtles, and Frogs have been in hibernation for a month or more Birds and butterflies have flown south Many deciduous trees are bare The nights are cold, especially during dry weather Rain and snow dampen the color palette of ground and sky Colds and flus are common The sun rises late and sets early In higher latitudes in the north, the sun barely makes it above the horizon Holidays like Yule, Hanukkah, Diwali, Christmas, and Kwanzaa, and many others, incorporate candles as a symbol of the light within while the external world is cold and dark     I know you know this  I feel you feel this and sense this Even if I keep you in spaces with lighting and heaters through out the day I feel you resting in peace in the dark morning hours I feel your heaviness and savoring of warmth I feel you naturally descend and quiet down as if closer than ever to the earth and water elements I feel you let go and give over to dissolving and the twilight world of dreaming   Thank you for your courage and for your love of this season For your oneness with Mother Earth and Grandmother Water Your peace in obscurity and quietness Your acceptance of how the inner and outer worlds align and pulse together   Take this time to rest Let the world rest Let the land rest Let the dreams of ‘bigger and better and brighter and colorful’ rest Let the plants and animals rest Let the season have the last word of each day   Light a candle and know that the river still flows beneath the ice That the trees don't die, but sleep That the sun is distant but not gone Mountain lilac, Manzanita, and red flowering winter currant, offer blooms this time of year Holly and Toyon keep the faith, offering bright red berries    Allow the shorter day to make you grateful for what is out of reach   Let this darkest day be the moment at the end of the dance when the song trails off, and only simple breath can be heard When the body of a passed-on beloved elder or friend is lowered into the ground Let this be the depth of goodbye that is full of thank you, I love you, I will miss you Let this darkest day be an affirmation of the light that never goes out Of ancestors still speaking in our dreams and blood Let this Winter Solstice be a doorway through The Grandparents and back, soon enough, to The Babes The Blessed Babies appearing miraculously from the Mystery of the unseen world that this moment honors Praise the doors still closed that protect the babies and dreams and realities still gestating Surrender and embody the grace of the plants and animals as they slow down, retreat, quiet, and conserve Be blessed in depths and silence