twelve days

a bare tree on a snow-covered slope, against a white sky

day zero: sun stand still

TOPICAL: this is part of The Cycle of the Seasons series


Today is the traditional day of the Winter Solstice in my area of the world. December 21st, every year, time after time, always the same.

I track sunrise and sunset times and first light and last light times, every day that I’m journaling — which is most days, I’m happy to say. When our planet experiences a solstice, time seems to pause. The length of the daylight, down to the minute, has been the same for several days.

Today we give small gifts to our household. We are going to eat pizza together. We are double checking what is needful over the next twelve days. We are in a time of darkness but also a time when the promise of the light returning is deeply meaningful.

We cling to each other and we cling to the light.

May the light warm each of you today.

— Nix


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 Fabrice Villard on Unsplash

Nix Kelley
Co-parent to multiple kids. Writer. Death doula. Member of the Order of the Good Death. Seeker on the Path of Light. Queer, non-binary, & trans.

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