A Solstice Blessing
We’re spiraling in an immense vortex of radiance – of light – of stars – of time and space – of life and death here on our little planet. We’re at a profound moment of transition – and we all know it. This transition can be felt in our bones, in our joy, in our grief, in our Spirit, and in every aspect of our relationships with each other – and with the way our world has been organized.
And now, here in December 2023, the Solstice occurs at 7:27pm PST on Thursday the 21st.
But this is not a target on a timeline! The actual event of the Solstice is a graceful multi day parabolic curve that holds us like a woven reed basket holds fruit. What we’re arriving at is an expansive new relationship with our star – our sun – a relationship that has traditionally been expressed in our Northern Hemisphere as a time of darkness – the shortest day, the longest night – all that.
But now, we recognize that we are one world – and that the longest night is simultaneously the shortest night. And the shortest day is the longest day! We recognize that while we live in a locality, we are connected and touched by everyone and everything that is happening anywhere in the world. And getting over our obsolete traditions of hemispheric provincialism, let’s all acknowledge that the “Light” hasn’t gone anywhere!
Rather than pretend praying for the return of the Light, the gift of this moment is that we recognize that now, it’s US.We are the Light.
What IS possible – and would be exceedingly helpful to ourselves and to all we share life with – is for us to allow ourselves to experience this new relationship with Light – and with the profound vibrational harmony between light and dark.
Indigenous wisdom traditions are clear that our personal sense of the dark “shadow” self – and of darkness as a force of evil – is an illusion created by low awareness. When the light of the sun of our awareness is low on our horizon, our shadow is projected far – wherever we look. But when the light of our awareness is high, like with the mid-day sun, we still have a shadow, but it is clearly ours, and it is tight within the circle of our being. And, it is not projected out onto others.
We know that we are responsible for our thoughts and actions – and that our perceptions are a measure of our awareness. So we look to ourselves for resolution, for illumination. On the bright side – we can clearly see what IS. Not what we think, or fear, or hope, or believe – but what actually IS.
So, this Solstice brings us very practical gifts for moving into this coming year – there’s nothing woo-woo here, and nothing from the realm of endless explanations.
Here it is, in total simplicity:
YOU are the harmony between light and dark – and, light and dark are in love with each other. YOU are the harmony between active and receptive.YOU are the harmony resolving the illusions of dualism, of “us and them” – of all forms of adversarial and reactive polarization. YOU are the Harmony of the real relationship of all that is, of our voices singing the song of Creation flowering.
With this Solstice, allow yourself the experience of moving into this harmony. You’ll be energetically supporting, and supported by, something that is well within our evolutionary potential: our alignment with the Great Harmony of life – with the great flowing YES that is the life affirming heart within us, and all that is.You know how to do this!
For the fun of it, create a simple living ceremony of celebration – acknowledging life in its many dimensions and directions, and together with family, friends, and community, move into deep listening to the harmony of creation singing within you, singing within life.
If we are going to bring peace on earth into reality, and shift our planets’ operating system from ruthless predatory exploitation to loving, caring, respect and compassionate regard for all beings, then, ALL THAT it going to have to start somewhere! And the one bringing Light is obvious, right? It’s you.
You are essential to life here and now. That bright burning YES within you is a blessing, a gift of radiance to our world.
Bring it on!
With love
Francis Rico
Bodega Headlands, California