The Sacred Gift of Darkness

When I look back on holiday memories, I tend to most appreciate the smaller rituals and traditions like baking cookies and decorating the Christmas tree.  I’ve always looked forward to pulling out the ornaments and turning on the tree lights.  To this day, the holidays don’t feel complete until I get a tree. 

The history of the Christmas tree as we know it today is linked to ancient times when cultures from all over celebrated the return of the sun on the winter solstice.  From Egypt to northern Europe evergreens would adorn homes to celebrate renewed life.

Growth does not begin from a place of expansion.  Instead it is born out of darkness, contraction and stillness.  When I observe how the holidays have evolved into frenetic madness, it feels counterintuitive to what this season represents which is honoring the spark of light from deep within all of life which in turn generates renewed growth and creativity. 

 As a society, we don’t celebrate the contraction into the dark stillness.  Instead we calculate our degrees of success based on the expansion and end results.  In turn, we never get an opportunity to fully incubate new ideas or to mindfully reflect on what is true for us without outside influence.

Just as a human being needs nine months in the protective womb to be able to thrive in the outside world, new ideas, growth and desires need to incubate in the metaphorical womb the darkness offers before they can expand and take shape in our lives.  This season offers that sacred space for seeding what is true for each of us and our own unique needs without outside influences judging or reshaping them before they can even begin to sprout.

I invite you between now and the end of the year to reflect on the following questions:

• What needs to be forgiven or released from your life at this time?
• What kind of energy do you want to experience in the coming year?  Is it calm, balanced and steady growth?  Or do you want to feel energized, passionate and dynamic?
• What wants to take shape in your life on a tangible level?  And how will that change your life for the better?
• What truths are becoming clear for you at this time?  They could be “light-bulb moment” type truths, or they could be truths that can feel uncomfortable but need to be addressed.
• What is your truth in this moment without considering any outside influences, including the self-sabotaging ego voice that undermines your personal power?

Short Ritual

Set aside 20-30 minutes to sit with the above reflections in complete darkness with the lights out or while wearing an eye mask.  Do some deep breathing to allow the answers to fully settle into your whole being and not just in the intellect.  When that process feels complete light a candle or turn on a small light and say aloud a statement that affirms the renewed energy you want to experience with the growing sun.  Some examples:

• Joy is my natural state of being.
• My life is becoming more and more abundant with the growing sun.
• I experience deeper states of love in my closest relationships.
• The more I balance my time and energy, the healthier and more focused I feel.

This time of contraction during the winter season can offer deep replenishment for the mind, body and spirit.  Embracing its sacred energy will help you flourish in the coming weeks and months!