[Background info about this series of posts found here]
A meditation on the interplay of Darkness and Light in this time of waiting before the Winter Solstice:
We honour the growing Darkness.
We do not fear, avoid or fight it.
Without the dark, there are no dreams,
no healing sleep to refresh us,
no deep growth necessary for life.
We arise with the returning Light.
No matter how deep the descent,
the Light does return.
--paraphrased from Joanna Powell Colbert
You are welcome to join me again next Sunday!
[Photos © Debra She Who Seeks, 2025]
...we are "enjoying" a bit too much darkness lately.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful 'still life' and wise words🤩
ReplyDeleteHappy time to you💖
This is lovely, thank you. I love the long dark nights. But I was born in December, so maybe it's home to me.
ReplyDeleteThank you. It's not the increasing darkness that gets to me, but the extended cold weather that happens even after the Solstice.
ReplyDeleteI love this post. A beautiful alter and the poem. Have a lovely day today.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful!
ReplyDeleteI love the passage, and I like the darkness early. Forces us to slow down and relax and hibernate to recharge.
ReplyDeleteDarkness usually happens before light...and you know that.
ReplyDeleteI see winter as a time of rest and recoup, so we can get at it again come spring.
Do you extinguish them when you retire for the night?
ReplyDelete@ Catalyst -- Oh yes, I do not let them burn all night. Fire safety!
DeleteHave you ever drawn your altars? They'd be beautiful on paper with your touch.
ReplyDeleteLove,
Janie
@ Janie Junebug -- No, I've never drawn them, but thanks for the idea!
DeleteSo beautiful, Debra!
ReplyDeleteAs I've said elsewhere, that's the real reason (as opposed to Jesus' purported birth date) that we celebrate Christmas in December. All the lights and sounds help get us through the long, dark nights.
ReplyDeleteHello Debra, this resonates with me. How beautiful. Have a great week!
ReplyDelete
ReplyDeleteDear Debra,
I like how darkness is recognized here as something that also has value, just like light.
Thank you for your comment! I didn't know Michaelina Wautier before our visit to the ROM either—but I'm always happy when a woman (especially in that era or in a country where women were particularly undervalued) manages to forge her own path and not be forgotten. They prove wrong those who don't appreciate women's achievements.
All the best and a wonderful Advent season 🕯️✨❣️, Traude
It (solstice) cannot arrive soon enough for me.
ReplyDeleteHappy December!
I look forward to the longer daylight hours in the spring.
ReplyDeleteBright blessed Day, Dark sacred Night
ReplyDeleteBeautiful words, really compliment the altar.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful Deb..I love the dark, cozy winter evenings
ReplyDeleteWhat a nice alter.
ReplyDeleteI keep forgetting thefull moon.
ReplyDeleteI love the reassurance for the return of the light!
ReplyDeleteThe winter solstice means more to me than the contrived Christian story of Christmas. Funny how those damned Christians cleverly latched their thing on to a far more ancient celebration of an old year passing and a new one just beginning, giving thanks for life and the sun that creates it.
ReplyDeleteLovely!
ReplyDeleteAnd without darkness, there's no light....
XOXO
I generally like the changing of the seasons, otherwise they would be so boring!!
ReplyDeleteHave a wonderful December Debra!