Winter is Here: Learning from the Dark

Winter is Here: Learning from the Dark

Winter is here. Literally: if you live in the northern hemisphere, the glorious golden days of fall have spiraled to an end, and the cold, spare days of winter are here. Metaphorically: well…winter is here. It’s dark out there.

You probably get my twisted Game of Thrones reference. “Winter is coming” the Stark family motto that essentially means be prepared; hard seasons last longer than anticipated, and existential threats loom large and close in when we aren’t vigilant. Preparation is wise. What to prepare for can be harder to pin down.

These are slippery times. Events move quickly in unpredictable directions. It’s easy to lose footing and hard to reorient to paths that once felt clear and now do not. It’s natural to assume that slipperiness can only result in a fall or a slide into something unpleasant.

Surprising beauty also happens quickly. Opportunities big and small can be delightful; turnarounds we didn’t imagine or think possible.

This is one of those times: this moment, this season, this era.

Winter is Here.

Darkness teaches.

What are we learning?

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Ideas for Working with the Dark

Take Nothing for Granted

While I’m a generally hopeful person, I have deep veins of realism running through my optimistic bedrock. “It can always get worse” is something I remind myself of when life feels hard. It helps prevent wallowing. Things can get better, too, of course. The point is to appreciate what is now and not become overly attached to what is causing pain, or what we wish was different. Our intuition, research, helping spirits, and reason can’t keep us from experiencing all difficulty. Nor should they; an essential part of life is facing challenges.

How we behave and how we are changed during the dark times becomes a defining part of who we will be going forward. Seasons come and go predictably; the lightness and darkness of nature are dependable. The world is changing less predictably. Our lives can change in an instant. Hope and perspective can both help keep us moving forward.

Sensing and Surviving

Humans are naturally diurnal, rather than nocturnal, so our senses are less adapted to the dark. Fear often separates us from the extraordinary beauty of the dark and the important processes occurring during naturally dark times. The unknown and unseen can be unnerving. Perhaps now is a good time to sense more carefully.

The cycle of darkness during winter, like the sleep cycle, is a phase where much happens below the surface. Animals and plants slow down, enter states of minimal functioning to survive. We rebuild our bodies during sleep.

The important processes that happen in the dark (literally and symbolically) are harder for us to see and understand because they are harder for us to sense. Have you ever struggled to hear someone speaking softly? Did you close your eyes? Blocking out one sense can help us focus on another. The darkness helps us sense in new ways a little like that. It can help us home in on different senses than we are used to using in the light, to pick up subtleties in the natural and energetic worlds around us. We can sharpen our senses, prepare, and get ready to rebuild.

We will have a lot of rebuilding to do soon.

Dark & Light. Good & Evil

The dark of nature is not evil; vilifying and harming people because of the color of their skin is. At the least, it’s dangerously ignorant.

We have some deep-seated confusion around light and dark.

The language we use to describe lightness and darkness complicates this. The values placed on lightness and darkness complicate this. The beauty industry complicates this. Spiritual terminology complicates this. We are smart and compassionate enough to figure it out. And if we aren’t currently, increasing our discernment around light and dark and good and evil should be a high priority.

Can we set things right, within ourselves and in our world? I hope so.

Sparks for the Future

This season is marked by numerous traditions and celebrations. We honor the solstice, divine birth, faith , fellowship with friends and family, generosity of giving, sharing food, remembering our ancestors, light itself, miracles. In this potent time of year, can we reorient to find a sacred path forward together? I hope so.

Can we see the spark of light and dark in each of us, the potential for good and evil in all of us? Can we learn the wisdom of the dark from nature and the lessons of dark times from our shared history? I hope so.

Come spring, may we feel aligned with nature, welcoming in a new season, vibrant with new energy that affirms life, health, and safety for all beings.

Wishing you and your family a peaceful season,

Mara

Join me next week for the 365 Journeys Circle where we will explore more about Learning from the Dark.

Winter is a hard time for many people. Seasonal affective disorder, post holiday (or mid holiday!) blues, and cold weather can combine for a less than ideal head space. If you’d like to connect online or in person for a conversation, schedule time here. Brief intro sessions are available to see if what I do is a good fit for what you are looking for. More info on sessions.

Winter is Here: Learning from the Dark