Winter Solstice is December 21st: a time in this part of the world when the North Pole is tilted farthest away from the Sun, bringing the fewest hours of sunlight of the year.
Winter is experienced in more ways than the weather: ongoing concern about people in various parts of the world (dealing with bombings, attacks, power outages, political threat; fear, hatred and chaos) take over thoughts of hope. Often as well, personal tragedies, illnesses, grief contribute to the ‘Winter of the Soul’ experience. When that happens, the words of Albert Camus can be a reminder of the invincible part of our being: invincible love, invincible smile, invincible calm, invincible summer … and a reminder that Winter Solstice is not only the beginning of longer days – but of hope.
“In the midst of hate,
I discovered within me an invincible love.
In the midst of tears,
I discovered within me an invincible smile.
In the midst of chaos,
I discovered an invincible calm.
I realized through it all that,
in the midst of winter,
there was an invincible summer.
For it says that no matter how hard the world pushes against me,
within me there is something stronger
something better,
pushing right back.”
Today, December 21st, the shortest day and longest night of the year, marks a shift: darkness slowly begins to recede – light begins to expand – days begin to get longer, albeit slowly, but they begin this day.
May those who experience a bleak ‘Winter of the Soul’, discover the Winter Solstice’s light of hope and healing of an “invincible summer.” May their spirit resonate with the words of author Margaret Atwood – below and encourage a break-through of the Winter of the Soul, giving time and space to look-within, nurturing connection to Spirit. And may you have a joyful Solstice celebrating the return of the light.
https://soulistry.com/blog
www.facebook.com/groups/soulistry
@soulistryjune.bsky.social
