Circling

As I run through the grass to catch a photo of the frozen pond in the morning light, my bare toes inside my slippers feel the frozen frost through the leather suede. The moon is in the sky during this late dawning light on New Year’s Eve. Ravens make their calls in the distance and everything is quiet and still on this special island which I live. My dogs wait patiently, Bruce sprawled out on the carpet, in anticipation of their morning romp through the frost. But first I must write.

I feel very in tune with this dark solar time of the year. It helped that I attended the all night winter solstice ceremony here on Lopez. I was in nature all night long, outside in the rain and under the stars. We celebrated around a large bonfire with dancing, music, ceremony and laughter. We grieved, howled, praised and sang. I feel so connected, and have ever the more love in my heart after that long night awake and drinking tea with so many loving and sweet souls. I feel rekindled with the time, the darkness. I am hesitant to get in a car, and have been meditating and savoring the stillness. The meditation and restorative yoga has contributed greatly to a sense of inner peace. Spending time with friends, burning candles and making good vegetarian food and sprouts have become regular past times.

I want to thank the earth and all of her wisdom and for the blessings of the seasons. The transitions and the circling through space provide mechanisms for teaching us and us learning through an ebb and flow of life and death, light and dark. The chill, the crispness, and the light flavor of light that I receive today are such a blessing. Then it will be calm and dark for another long winter evening and I will rest. I will feel. I will seep all I have in my bones into the stillness of the night. Happy New Year to all of you.