we emerge
TOPICAL: this is part of The Cycle of the Seasons series
Tonight we are done with this task.
We take it with us, in new realizations, in stronger bonds between us, in renewed faith in ourselves and in each other, in old wisdom making a home in our deepest self. We finished strong, still standing, even with aching feet and backs. We tried our best and it was enough.
It is not unlike digging our way out of a snowed-in house, where inside a whole different world had been created by us and was how we lived each hour of the day and night; and now we have rejoined a bigger and wider world. We experienced a weather cycle from sub-freezing temperatures and dangerous wind chills to snowmelt to fog and muddy ground over these past twelve days.
We walked the circular groove in the world that deepens with every passing year. The sun has set and it is a new day.
Next comes Imbolc, first day of spring, quartering the year between the Winter Solstice and the Spring Equinox. Right now is still midwinter, still the early coming of night, still a time for the earth and its creatures to slumber a little longer, still a time to rest so that life can burst forth again.
We gave each other gifts and we laughed and we watched the cats play in the tissue and paper bags. We arrived at Twelfth Night and are still in possession of our own light to share with each other.
As the wheel turns, so do we. As the seasons cycle around every year the same but not the same, so do we.
It is finished, until we must take up the burden again. Our watch is not ended. We will remain.
Thank you so much for coming along on this journey with me.
Walk in the Light.
— Nix
My Twelfth Night gift to you: a collection of songs for deep midwinter.
Our days traditionally begin at sunset. The darkness is all around us but we are safe here together inside these walls that we have fortified with love and with sacrifice.
featured image is a photo by Greg Willson on Unsplash
