As the longest night of the year approaches, the moonlight is growing fuller, and the calendar year is wrapping up, I remember that I started the year with a focus on opening joy and being present. Presentce, as in presents and presence, was one of my words for 2018, along with appreciation and delight. A full moon and the shifting of the light at solstice feels like a great time to focus on the fullness in life. I invite you to join me if you like. As the energy of the holiday season surrounds us, may we take a moment to pause and appreciate the presents that don’t necessarily come from a store, as the Grinch learned at the end of that story.
“Ubuntu” Original and Art Prints Available in Shop
Truly, anytime is a good time to do this! I wasn’t raised with specific Solstice traditions (though I know many of our Christmas traditions have those roots). Still, I feel a desire to give some sort of extra attention and acknowledgement to the natural changes and cycles. I’ll be keeping it simple AND sacred. I plan to light a candle (or a bigger fire in the hearth!) to represent the divine spark in my heart that is part of the whole of existence, maybe use some palo santo, and celebrate my blessings. I might write in a journal or add symbols or a collage to a painting depending on my mood and situation at the time. I might simply sit and focus my awareness on the gifts I’m grateful for while enjoying the warmth of the fire.
I know it isn’t always easy, especially when going through the river of grief. I miss my beloved momma everyday and especially at the holidays. It’s been 8 and a half years since she went into the heavenly mystic. I recently finished the painting below. I added lyrics from a song that came on while I was painting in one of the layers. It seems appropriate for the winter solstice here in the northern hemisphere as well. The lyrics say: “daylight is waiting for you.” So, this painting and that song (Wolves by Down Like Silver) is dedicated to anyone who is feeling despair, depression, or loss right now.
“Seeds of Daylight” Art Prints Available in Shop
Daylight is waiting for you…
I just noticed while typing that how similar the words daylight and delight sound. Maybe delight is also waiting for you! I hope you might join me to focus on the sweet stuff. Doing so almost always helps me to lighten up. Maybe it’s because I start to let go of the weight of expectations or disappointments. Maybe I’ll even take a few moments to throw anything that isn’t serving me well into the fire! Want to join me? Maybe it will help us to clear the head and open the heart and appreciate the amazing presents right here and now.
One of those presents is the warmth we can share with one another and receive from the great trees of life. I was inspired to write the following poem one evening by a fire and it feels fitting to share on Solstice. (Do you see the heart shape in the sparks on the initial image?!)
Whether it’s the longest day or the longest night where you live, I invite you to Dance with De Light within you and around you and celebrate your life.
PS ~ I’ll be interviewed on a new Lightworker Series in January. I’ll send the info out via email when I have the details. You can sign-up for my newsletter at ThriveTrue.com/MagicMail to be sure you get presents and updates about all the sweetest stuff! 🙂
PSS ~ If you’d like to send a bit of warmth to someone, my art is available printed on mugs. I recently sent the following to a dear friend along with a loose leaf tea that my son and I put together at our lovely local apothecary.
Warm Wishes to You!
Jules
Julia Ostara
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© 2018 Julia Ostara ~ All rights reserved. Thank you.
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