More light in the world

 

It is a New Year and a time to celebrate all that we are and all that we can become. In 2005 I participated in my first Winter Solstice celebration.  This was done with a group of women of all ages, beliefs and backgrounds and was new to 90% of the participants. It was done in a very modern way, designed to represent a modern world. Previously I had never seen the significance of celebrating the darkest day of the year, but it makes sense in the context of light returning to earth. We were all instructed to release one thing of darkness from our lives, in order to make room in our hearts for more light and love and joy.  This simple act turned out to be very moving for all of us.  I gained strength in my own resolve to let go of some small bit of darkness through the support and compassion of the women in the group. Stating an intention in front of a group makes it stick better somehow.  We were all feeling brighter and sang songs to celebrate a world into which a little more light had come. We joined around the table and ate the goodies that we had all contributed and laughed and talked.  I went home feeling more connected to these wonderful women, and  renewed and ready for the last minute shopping, baking and cleaning that precedes Christmas.