December 23, 2019

Yes, I know - this isn't Friday, but I figure it's probably the last time for you to check your email before everything starts going wild and crazy. And I wanted to get this to you as much before Christmas as possible.  This is really about that "after Christmas" time. 

If you would like to wait and read this till Christmas Day, that's what I recommend.  If you can read this and really take it in, bravo for you and read on!  But if you are really swamped, this is long and thoughtful, so wait till Tuesday to read it.  It will still be here!



We creatures are products not only of our genes, but of our environment.  And for most of our lives, we humans have been tied to the diurnal and nocturnal timing of the seasons.  This time of year, in most places in the northern hemisphere, there is less light than during the warmer seasons of the year.  Back when the light source was mostly from the sun, this meant that we could and did react totally differently to the darker days of the winter months, than we do today.

People were more in touch with the relationship between light and night, and used these months totally differently than we do today.  Whereas today, we have this rush up to Christmas, then the celebration, then thinking about starting the New Year, with resolutions, promises, and getting our taxes done (OK, well, maybe that part is later, but we're thinking that maybe we could or might do it earlier this year) and other fresh-start ideas, that suddenly before we know it, it's spring and time to start thinking about planting outside, and we've totally missed the opportunity that the quiet time of year promises for us.

But how about trying something new this year.  How about giving into the season and the timing of this year.  Even though we have many traditional light festivals this time of year, it's worthwhile to celebrate the night too.  Before the time of artificial light, humans did this regularly.  Starting with All Souls' Day and All Saints' Day, the veil between the day and night, the light and dark was thinner.

As one of my favorite authors puts it:

In the chilly season, when the air grows cold and the spiders die, comes a thin time. The days are short, so all the light of them is concentrated, squeezed between the dawn and dark. This is why the light is different, and each thing has a Shadow. This is when the other worlds draw close, and the barriers between grow thin. In a thin time, they say, you must be careful, because you might walk through a cobweb unthinking, and find yourself Elsewhere.

There is more than one other world; no one knows how many. Some beasts can see one; the dogs will sometimes stare at a blank space on the wall of a cave, and their hackles rise at what they see.

Sometimes, I think I see it, too.

This describes perfectly that thin time, when the unseen is seen, when the unheard is heard and when voices that were silent now speak.  But if we are still doing the bustle of the season long past the season of celebrating, we miss this. It's easy to miss, because there's really nothing out there to remind us of this.  There are too many bright lights.

What if we do something different this year between Christmas Eve and Epiphany, and take in the darkness and use it to give us another perspective.  This gives us not only a time to rest, and frankly we all need a little rest after the holidays, but also a welcomed time to reflect on where we've been and where we're going. 



One thing I love to do is practice this as Thirteen Holy Nights (or sometimes Twelve Holy Nights excluding Christmas.)  Pick a time that's good for you - late night or early morning, and from there doing a little reflection on each of the 13 days.   It starts on Christmas when we think on the year that has past, and the year ahead, then 26th is the day we think of January and plant seeds that will sprout during that month;  the 27th for February; 28th for March; 29th April, 30th, May; 31st, June; 1st, July; 2nd, August; 3rd, September; 4th, October; 5th, November; and 6th for December and then you're at Epiphany.



This isn't so much about Christmas and Epiphany.  This is about the night that is available to us and the time from December 26th to January 6th is a perfect time that works for this.  It's about light and night, and being in the rest, peace and stillness of night. 

There are lots of devotionals and meditative helpers out there, but I use a playlist of songs that you can download here, or if you have Spotify, you can listen to it here.  This doesn't have any other purpose other than to relax and hopefully slow down your life to a more thoughtful and contemplative place. 

You don't have to use music, music is very close to me so it's a natural to use it.  Journaling, or simply lighting a candle and sitting sitting quietly, being still and in a contemplative state of mind accomplishes much the same thing.  I use a Sandalwood Patchouli scented candle, but use one you like.  The flame of the candle is a wonderful meditative focus.  Here's a booklet I put together to help you with the journaling. 

This isn't meant to be other than a slowing time to allow a peak through that veil between light and dark.  And this is a time that gives you permission to slow down and take in the night and the possibilities. 

Remember the first of December when I encouraged you to think about those aspects of your creativity, your work, your play and your life, now is the time you can use those and be a part of this meditations.  Do you want to learn something specific, or generally more?....do you want to further challenge yourself?....do you want to refine your current cadre of skills and techniques?....do you want to expand into another aspect of your creativity?  Now is the time to plant those seeds.

This isn't meant at all to be an "accomplish" time.  That time has past.  When we lived according to the sun, we planted when it started getting warm, and we harvested when the plants were grown and bearing fruit.  In the winter we rested, so that we could plant, grow and harvest again.  This is deep in us, and it doesn't take much to access it.  Allowing yourself to slow down and take in the night makes Christmas even more special - more special than you thought, and of course this time after Christmas becomes a very treasured time.  But this also becomes a time when you can set your intentions for 2019.  You can have the time to devote to planting seeds and taking in the night to nurture and care for your creative soul.

As important as it is to work and create your dreams and using your skills to further your gift, it is just as important to rest from the creating.  Without that rest, eventually your creating becomes trite and boring.  Giving your creative soul rest, allows it to fill up again.  You will be amazed at how this works. 

Merry Christmas and Happy 13 Holy Nights!



 

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