The Dark Before the Light

Winter has arrived — at 4:48 PM today, in fact. On this shortest day of the year in the Northern Hemisphere, we experience the fewest daylight hours, and the most nighttime hours. And immediately after the Solstice occurs, our days will once again be getting incrementally longer as we move toward the Spring Equinox and Summer Solstice…

That means, beginning today, brighter days are heading our way…literally!

This celestial event offers us a powerful opportunity to reflect on the darkness and light in our own lives. The annual cycle of moving between darkness to light reveals that both of them are very real in our material universe. One does not exist without the other. We need not place any value judgment on one or the other, because they both just ARE as part of the Universe’s Cycle.

And, of course, we know that this also is true of our personal nature as human beings. We all have light and darkness inherent in our nature. And we need not judge our darkness as better or worse than our light — they both simply ARE a part of our Being.

We have long given negative energy to darkness in all of its forms, which has led us to fearing it, sometimes to the point of denial.

We need darkness, though, and sometimes we just need to be reminded of this. Example: We seek darkness for our most restorative sleep and rest. In fact, science has shown that we actually NEED darkness for our most nourishing sleep experiences. I know several of my own friends and family members that have blackout curtains and blinds for their sleepytime hours, and will act like exposed vampires if those blinds or curtains get cracked, even just a little, before they are ready to rise for the day.

Yes, we need sunlight and brightness to nourish our waking life as well. We need both dark and light to live our healthiest Life.

We are in the middle of Hanukkah this week, and swiftly approaching Christmas, as well as the end of the year (which I will offer further reflections on next week.) The Winter Solstice can be a moment of respite — a moment in the restorative quiet of the darkness that we reflect on — and perhaps even embrace — on our own personal darkness, and how it can help us shine our light more brightly in the lengthening days.

In meditations I’ve led in previous years, I have encouraged us all to “be the light” in our lives, and for others. This year, I continue to do so, and would like to add, that, for this pivotal moment in our year, that we have the courage to “be the darkness” first. The safe, cozy, reflective Darkness that offers the experience of restful stillness that propels us into the Light in the days ahead.

I wish for you a blessed Solstice, and holidays that shower you with and abundance of comfort and joy. Peace!

Rev. Rob aka The Spiritual SPINister