Kindling

Wrapped up in the dark - a softness calling us to sleep and rest

For those of us in the northern hemisphere, the time of the Winter Solstice is almost upon us. We have found ourselves gradually wrapped up in the dark - a softness calling us to sleep and rest. We are lulled by its siren song and the promise of restoration. Everything starts to become a bit more effort and the heat of summer feels like a fast-fading dream. There is more frost and the ground is hard and unyielding. The wind has a bite to it, stinging our cheeks. It feels as if Mother Nature has turned harsh and stern.

Like the solar fire above us, it can feel as if our own internal fire is flickering weakly. The fire which gives us our drive and motivation seems to be missing and it becomes a struggle to get started with anything.

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At this time of year, many of us naturally take action to bolster the presence of the fire element around us. In the absence of the sun’s warmth and light, we find ourselves lighting candles or a fire. We bring into our homes items which seem to have captured those rays of sunlight - cakes made with dried fruits, wine warmed with spices, puddings which burst briefly into flames.

Diaries and notebooks are purchased to help us plan our goals and take steps to meet them when we feel invigorated again. The love provided by friends and family also helps to keep the fire element burning while we wait for the end to the cold, dark days. This winter will likely bring extra challenges as our usual tribal methods to combat the cold and dark will be compromised. Instead, we may found ourselves having to focus much more on stoking the fire ourselves - spicy food, hot drinks, a disco inferno in the living room.

We’ve been here before of course, and we know that the end to winter will come. At the time of the Winter Solstice we pause and give thanks that the light and warmth will slowly increase again. Sol Invictus! Days start to lengthen and there will be a day in the not too distant future when we step outside and actually feel the warmth of the sun again. From there, it is only a few short months until we say ‘Enough! It’s too hot!’ The power of solar fire reaches its zenith again and we try and douse its flames with water.

This is us working with the elements, responding to the world around us and trying to bring balance in an intuitive way. We flow with the world in a cyclical dance whose steps we already know. So, when the invitation comes, we find we are already tapping our feet to its rhythm and our bones vibrate with the tune.

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