November 2020: Descending Into The Darkness
“Let me seek solace in the empty places of winter’s passage,
those vast dark nights that never fail to shelter me.”
For those of us in the northern hemisphere, we feel the growing of darkness as we travel towards the Winter Solstice in December.
As the days grow shorter and the darkness stretches its cool air around us, we are invited to descend deeper into the darkness.
In the UK, and many other places in Europe, this also coincides with national restrictions that will likely keep us closer to home and our inner world, rather than the bright lights of the city.
This is the perfect time to journey inwards, as the darkness in the world around us reflects something of our inner world - the oft-hidden, elusive and deeper parts of ourselves.
It’s likely that during the Spring & Summer period in this strange and unusual year something revealed itself to you - a fear, a dream, a yearning… Whatever it was, we are being called to go a step deeper, a step further in our personal journey of discovery.
The descent into darkness is often met with fear, resistance and even dread. Why? The darkness includes parts of ourselves that are unseen, ancestral, unknown. And that unknowing can be really scary for many people.
Sometimes the fear may be justified, but most times it is simply something we have had to hide about ourselves, put away and forgotten about in a cupboard, something frowned upon. And the fear is really False Evidence Appearing Real.
I know too that winter can bring on feelings of depression in people sensitive to the seasons. If this is you, then mindfully and compassionately navigating the terrain of your inner descent is particularly important. Perhaps you land in the world of your inner darkness with a bump, and it knocks your lantern out. See if you can bring even more kindness and gentleness to yourself this year - how can you make the landing place more comfortable and invite warmth in? Do you need to do some deep resting as an antidote to depression? Do you need the support of someone else to relight your candle?
Dark days by Sylvia Sassen
Gather winter’s cloak around you. Trust that she understands the descent into darkness; that it holds as much value as the flowers opening in Spring. There are riches to be found here, too.
When we can’t see so clearly, our other senses become much more active. Sound, smell, taste, touch, intuition. Trust in these senses to reveal information to you in a different way. Just because we place so much emphasis on vision (and the light) doesn’t mean that these senses (and the darkness) are of any lesser value.
Listen to the call of your inner lone wolf, or bear spirit that will hibernate during the wintertime. Listen to the call of the owl and her silent words of wisdom. Listen to the song of the Earth, her layers and layers of soil, rock and memory. Listen to your warm animal body.
Go on retreat - to yourself.
Tend to your inner light by finding practices that nourish you. Inward practices like yin or restorative yoga, meditation, sitting by a fire, journalling, reading. Resting - both sleep and constructive rest like yoga nidra or listening to gentle music. Giving comfort, warmth and nourishment to your body - with soft clothing, lighting candles, snuggling with loved ones, making soups, stews and whatever you love in autumn/winter. Being with the infinite darkness by sitting under the moon or stargazing (as long as temperatures allow!).
Listening to your intuition. She may appear like wind through branches, like the tide of an ocean, or the crackling of a fire.
In bringing conscious awareness, compassion and mindfulness, to these less-seen places within your psyche, you shine your own light into the darkness. Simultaneously awakening your own inner light and illuminating the beauty of your inner world - the essence of who you are.
I am being shown that this particular cycle of autumn/winter is inviting you to go more deeply and know more deeply your inner light, inner strength and the radiance of your being. What a gift. So go deeper, tread softly, pause often, and listen to the subtle illumination from your other senses.
And if the journey into darkness feels too overwhelming, difficult or confusing for you on your own, seek the help of a professional to walk with you.
Journey together with bryony@creativesoultherapies.com