We are loving this gorgeous essay on the nature of the Winter Solstice, and return of holidays to "holy days". Thank you Michael Meade for your inspirational thinking }
 | Dear Friends, The modern world, made bright and shiny with inter-connective technology, can also seem a dark, isolating place. The growing climate crisis, increasing wealth disparity, as well as the politics of conflict and corruption cast huge shadows over the land. These are not simply the dark days of winter, but increasingly dark times for everyone; especially for those who truly care for the souls of others and for the well-being of the sacred earth we all live upon. The disasters of modern life are deepened by the loss of imagination about the mystery and wonder of this world and the lack of understanding of our essential place within it. We keep falling out of the living story of the world and into the shadow of humanity. Humans may be frail and easily misled, yet we belong to more than one dimension of life and the dark of the year is the traditional time to recall the inner connection between our souls and the starry universe. |
Ancient people imagined that the extremes of darkness harbored a timeless moment of stillness as the sun seems to stop just in time, before the gloom becomes too great to recover from. Traditional cultures around the world imagined that the midwinter sun needed conscious help from people in order to avoid being devoured by the expanse of darkness that nips at the edges of life.
The “holidays” were more distinctly the holy days, as the rebirth of the sun at solstice was reflected in the potential awakening and inner illumination of the heart and soul of each person. For, each soul harbors an “inner sun,” a deep and giving self that is also a light found inside darkness. The sense of holy days and hidden light served to remind everyone of the sacredness of life as well as our innate connection to the world’s capacity to renew itself in the darkest hours.
The instinct for warmth and care, for love and generosity in the dark of the year arises naturally from the soul’s longing to feel the holiness and interconnectedness of life. In the midst all the anxieties and pressures of modern life, it is a sense of timelessness and sacredness that is most needed. The solstice presents a cosmological truth about both life and light; it reflects a human capacity to assist in the renewal of life despite and because of the darkness all around us.
In facing the darkness together we can find and touch again the divine spark of life as each soul can connect through prayer and song to the living earth and the Soul of the World.
May the holidays be holy days for you; may the light of inspiration find you and the warmth of love embrace you and yours.
Wishing you peace, restoration and renewal,
Michael Meade and Mosaic Staff
The “holidays” were more distinctly the holy days, as the rebirth of the sun at solstice was reflected in the potential awakening and inner illumination of the heart and soul of each person. For, each soul harbors an “inner sun,” a deep and giving self that is also a light found inside darkness. The sense of holy days and hidden light served to remind everyone of the sacredness of life as well as our innate connection to the world’s capacity to renew itself in the darkest hours.
The instinct for warmth and care, for love and generosity in the dark of the year arises naturally from the soul’s longing to feel the holiness and interconnectedness of life. In the midst all the anxieties and pressures of modern life, it is a sense of timelessness and sacredness that is most needed. The solstice presents a cosmological truth about both life and light; it reflects a human capacity to assist in the renewal of life despite and because of the darkness all around us.
In facing the darkness together we can find and touch again the divine spark of life as each soul can connect through prayer and song to the living earth and the Soul of the World.
May the holidays be holy days for you; may the light of inspiration find you and the warmth of love embrace you and yours.
Wishing you peace, restoration and renewal,
Michael Meade and Mosaic Staff
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