Grove News
In this age of “Instant Living”, with fast travel, fast food and fast self-gratification of all kinds, we sometimes forget that the wider world of nature does not move in the same way or at a similar speed. Seasons and natural occurrences evolve slowly, ripen and mature. In this time between Samhain and the Winter Solstice – at least in the Northern Hemisphere, we are all enwrapped in the shadows; the cold frozen dark or death and decay after the end of the harvest, and the exciting nurturing dark of new life. which, like Cerridwen’s cauldron, is a fermentation of potential and new beginnings, the gestation time of new life.
These few weeks between Samhain and the Winter Solstice are very precious. The one time in the year when we can really “draw in our horns” on every level, and deeply contemplate the full extent of our personal harvests of the last year, and decide what new seeds we wish to plant for the next spring – both literally, for those of us who have gardens – and metaphorically. It is time to take stock of ourselves and how far we have recently come along our individual personal paths. We have this blessed, nurturing time in which to step back and take in a full overview, ready to burst forth with the rebirth of the sun at Midwinter.
But do remember, that the planets move slowly. The midwinter sun is actually at its lowest ebb for several days, the 21st of December being only the first of them… We languish in the darkest doldrums until the morning of the 25th, when once more, we perceptibly have more measurable daylight – a whole minute – and the sun/son is reborn.
Open your minds and your hearts. Feel the slow, steady, inexorable pulse of change; of light, dark, heat and cold as the earth slowly turns and we turn with it. Allow yourself to flow with the natural moods and changes. Never expect one day, one minute, to make such a pivotal difference. Give yourself time to identify and rejoice in each nuance of season and emotion. Make the most of this time so that you will be more than ready to be “born again” with the Light, full of joy and wonder.
Blessings for a very happy yule/solstice/christmas.