Winter Solstice Blessings
Happy Winter Solstice to our Full Heart Family!
To Know the Dark by Wendell Berry
To go in the dark with a light is to know the light.
To know the dark, go dark. Go without sight,
and find that the dark, too, blooms and sings,
and is traveled by dark feet and dark wings.
During this time of the year, as darkness has settled into our days, the fields are at rest and so are we.
As we have begun to live our lives in tune with the seasons throughout the last decade, this time has become such a special and sometimes difficult part of the year. Here in the PNW we see less daylight than night and our beloved sun peaks through in the most stunning ways for brief periods of time while the clouds predominately blanket the sky in that picturesque layer of cool grey mist.
Surrendering to Winter is a process. The bustle of the holiday season pushes against our biological and soul-centered need for more sleep and slowness.
Every year this is a push and pull for Pete and I. Knowing we need to take a step back to regenerate for the coming year, we do our best to sleep more, stay at home, rebuild our routines, and nest, while also tending to the very real and present obligations of daily life.
This December has been the most soothing and nurturing time for us. After a hectic season of every waking moment being accounted for and needed to keep up with life, our side jobs, and running the farm, we have spent this last month hibernating every free moment we have. Eating delicious home cooked food, watching movies, and reading so many books.
Where in years past, we have mourned the loss of light and vibrancy in our days, we are now feeling the comfort and nurturing energy the darkness is bringing. The nights are so beautiful here—peaceful, quiet.
Our minds and hearts are dreaming up the beauty we hope to grow for next season. We are journaling every day. Our hands are crafting, and our inner children are reading books from our childhood.
This is truly the most in-tune we have ever had the space to be with this special time of year and its affects on our well-being are palpable and the gratitude in our hearts is overflowing to watch the way choosing slowness is revitalizing our beings.
Holiday times are packed full. Of Joy, of merriment, of grief, of love, of difficult feelings, of beauty, of surrender - and so much more.
Whatever way you are navigating this time of year, know we are sending a lot of love to you and yours for the ways you have brought light to our own lives this year. We are so grateful to have had a beautiful adventure of a first season and YOU, sweet friend, are a a big big part of that gratitude.
All our love and blessings to you,
ToniYa, Pete, Maple, and Chubbs
