Season of Darkness

We are thousands of years old...

It’s officially the coming of winter, the moving into the darkest part of our year, when the veil between our world and the world of our ancestors becomes very thin.

During this season we are gentle encouraged to explore our shadows, the subconscious, the darkness, death and the stuff our fears are made of.

Explore what? Why?

This is a time to commune with the dead and to acknowledge the truth that we are here because of them. Our body is actually thousands of years old, carrying within it all the generations that led us safely to be here in this moment. This honoring is very important to maintain balance and harmony in life and in living well. Yet it’s been a bit neglected in Western culture. In Central America though, especially Mexico, they still celebrate this time with the Day of the Dead festival and in Europe it is called All Saints day or All Souls day. We also see it in the Celtic festival of Samhain, also know as Halloween which is a soul-filled time when we connect with the spirits of the night, our ancestors who have departed.

In many cultures this time of year is spent acknowledging death. You see it in nature too, who's plants acknowledge death, some plants die this time of year, withdraw life, loose their leaves and or go dormint, quiet. When we spend time honoring death we are actually acknowledging life. For we miss the fullness of life if we skim over, run from and never face that which is hard to do so.

Here are helpful ways to face these dark days:

• Thank your ancestors and all who have passed for showing and teaching you how to live. Maybe light a candle, say a prayer to them or for them.

• Sit quietly and ask yourself what are you living for?

• Write down your fears

May you dive deep courageously, 

xoxo Tawny