Longest Night
Whether you reckon tonight or tomorrow night as the longest, I have certain habits (they are too loose to call traditions) for this night.
I like to engage myself in thoughts and activities that reach across this cusp of time, azimuth and photoperiodism, thoughts that beckon to the year to come. This is my own private new year's eve. I want to spend the darkest longest night with those people, things and behaviors that sustain me, warm me, hold me close and fill me up. Fill the coming year with strength, love, hope, courage and all good things (esp. solvency, great sex and more books - hey, if I'm wishing, best do it right.)
Lighting several dozen candles, even a tea light or votive. Reading aloud from an adventure book to the lad. Drinking a glass of wine or spirits (try warming up the Bailey's - ooooo!). Pulling my woolen shawl close around my body, pink from a hot bath and clad so cozily in my cold weather yoga clothes. Listening to the muse passing through Josh Groban or Bette Midler or Loreena McKennitt. (Or The Boss. :-)
As I stare at the flames (and the blue screen light), I am sending my warmest thoughts to loved ones out there in the world, not with me tonight. One with a heavy heart disconnected from the reason(s) to live; one with a determined will to rise above physical challenges; one looking for the courage to face the past, make peace and make changes; one confronting the demons that eat him up inside, literally. And one dear one facing surgery and the inevitable creeping fears despite the warm circle of love around her.
On such a night, I have even a little bit left in my cup of charity for the one who has wounded me and attempts to continue. Poor sod, his power will wane just as does this night. It is time for us Northern Hemispherians to turn again toward the light on this Longest Night.
As Josh croons, and as my son slips into cozy polyfill and lucky blanket sleep, I am content to wait for the dawn, knowing that the opportunity comes again each and every morning to find my way, to heal my heart, to look again at the sky and breathe deeply.
Blessed be on this Solstice night.
I like to engage myself in thoughts and activities that reach across this cusp of time, azimuth and photoperiodism, thoughts that beckon to the year to come. This is my own private new year's eve. I want to spend the darkest longest night with those people, things and behaviors that sustain me, warm me, hold me close and fill me up. Fill the coming year with strength, love, hope, courage and all good things (esp. solvency, great sex and more books - hey, if I'm wishing, best do it right.)
Lighting several dozen candles, even a tea light or votive. Reading aloud from an adventure book to the lad. Drinking a glass of wine or spirits (try warming up the Bailey's - ooooo!). Pulling my woolen shawl close around my body, pink from a hot bath and clad so cozily in my cold weather yoga clothes. Listening to the muse passing through Josh Groban or Bette Midler or Loreena McKennitt. (Or The Boss. :-)
As I stare at the flames (and the blue screen light), I am sending my warmest thoughts to loved ones out there in the world, not with me tonight. One with a heavy heart disconnected from the reason(s) to live; one with a determined will to rise above physical challenges; one looking for the courage to face the past, make peace and make changes; one confronting the demons that eat him up inside, literally. And one dear one facing surgery and the inevitable creeping fears despite the warm circle of love around her.
On such a night, I have even a little bit left in my cup of charity for the one who has wounded me and attempts to continue. Poor sod, his power will wane just as does this night. It is time for us Northern Hemispherians to turn again toward the light on this Longest Night.
As Josh croons, and as my son slips into cozy polyfill and lucky blanket sleep, I am content to wait for the dawn, knowing that the opportunity comes again each and every morning to find my way, to heal my heart, to look again at the sky and breathe deeply.
Blessed be on this Solstice night.
1 Comments:
Beautiful. Happy Solstice to you and yours.
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