Today is the December solstice. In the northern hemisphere, it’s the Winter Solstice: the shortest day of the year — and the longest night.
Read: 3 Rituals to Embrace the Winter Solstice
The winter solstice is a turning point. From now until the June solstice, the days will gradually get longer. The light will increase.
Our Fear of the Dark
From ancient times, humans have had discomfort with darkness. Events like eclipses were considered ominous signs because they blocked the luminaries: the light of the sun or the moon.
In modern times, we still chase the light, both in literal and metaphorical terms. The cultural messaging is to “be light” — in your physical body, on your feet, in your attitude.
Keep it light. Focus on the positive. Be happy. Find the joy. Celebrate the good.
It seems that we never quite grow out of the fear of the dark we may have had as children. As adults, we simply find legitimate ways to avoid the darkness.
Many of us are experts at escaping the dark void. We fill our days with activities, errands, work, things to do, stuff to buy.
There is a general collective unease with the dark and with what we might find there: mental health issues, inequality, trauma, manipulative behavior, grief, death, sadness, despair, uncertainty, the mystery, emptiness, loneliness.
In my astrology chart, I have my sun in the eighth house — the place of grief, death, and mental health issues. Holding space for others in their darkest moments is where my light shines brightest.
This gives me an interesting perspective on how people respond to darkness.
Try starting a conversation about any of these topics at a party and notice how quickly people squirm and excuse themselves to leave.
How to See the Light
There’s no debate about the value and importance of light. Plants, animals, and humans all need the sun’s light to grow. We rely on the sun’s warmth for nourishment.
To see and be seen in the light — to be seen in our own light — is one of the greatest gifts we can give to ourselves and each other.
And… there are no shortcuts to the light.
We cannot just command ourselves or others to “be happy” or “be light.”
To fully embody the light around and within ourselves, must fully embrace the darkness that exists around and within ourselves.
The darkness is what defines the light.
The true light leaders in this world are not those who harbor a relentless optimism, but rather those who have been willing to sit in and embrace their own darkness and the darkness around them.
Learning to sit in the darkness without fear is not just the best path to the light; it’s the only path.
Light must be earned.
Winter solstice is our annual invitation to embrace the darkness.
Read: 7 Winter Solstice Rituals That Embrace the Darkness
The mystery.
Uncertainty.
Not knowing.
The void of the empty space.
The parts of yourself that you don’t like to see.
Allow yourself the magic of surrender.
Embrace the darkness.
Allow yourself to feel how the darkness embraces you back.
Read: 5 Practices to Embrace the Darkness
From within that embrace the light will emerge.
It is only when we fully embrace the darkness that we can fully appreciate the light.
[…] Winter Solstice arrives on December 21, inviting us to receive the nourishment of deep rest, lean into the mystery, […]