Luminosity...like touching the very heart
of your being, your reality, your very essence
without a shadow of doubt.
It is a radiant, shining core of Presence-
Awareness, of Existence itself.
Angelo Gerangelo
Season of Shining: The Season of Dreaming: The Season of
Hoping: The Season of Healing.
If ever there was a time when we're longing for Luminosity, for
peace on earth, and for goodwill toward all, it is this year. It is
right now.
Humanity has been celebrating the turning of the earth and the
shift of seasons from our earliest days. The Winter Solstice is a
point of change for us, a marker of time passing, and a
celebration of both the gifts of the darkness and the return of the
sunlight. Since ancient times, communities across the world
have gathered to honor and celebrate the changing of the
seasons. The Winter Solstice represents the ending of one
cycle… and the beginning of another. Celebratory moments like
the Solstice play a vital role in helping revitalize community spirit
and affirm health and well-being for the coming year. Celebrated
since ancient times, across cultures worldwide, Winter Solstice
(and other festivals of light) is an auspicious time of year when
the stars (and this year, the planets, too ) align in such a way
that the Light of the cosmos shines on the Earth - and our
consciousness - in a healing pattern for transformation. This
potent concentration of Light brings Luminosity to our mind,
body, and spirit and guides us toward awakening and
remembering our wholeness ("holy-ness") during this powerful
and sacred time. Aligning with the amazing and transformational
energies offers an opportune and miraculous moment for a
profound energetic shift from darkness to light.
stars begin to shine. Embracing the darkness, even dancing in
it, is an essential part of birthing the Light. And in so doing, we
take a monumental step forward by mindfully shifting our
consciousness toward a fresh start in 2021. As we lean into the
rich darkness at this cold, dark time of year we are tuning into
one of the natural cycles that support the easiest, most powerful
personal growth work we can do – It's Nature. It's the way our
energy & our lives are SUPPOSED to flow. We're just
remembering what this natural rhythm is. And honoring what we
need for remembering Luminosity--the Light that is both
experienced within and manifested in the world.
Many plants, like tulips, daffodils, iris, and apple trees, would not
blossom in the springtime were it not for this period of
dormancy. This is a period of true transformation. Are you ready
to be revitalized, refreshed and renewed during this amazing
time?
For over fifty years I've been celebrating Winter Solstice. I've
always loved those celebrations, the candles, the moments of
reflection, and the hopefulness that the rituals inspire. I invite
your to celebrate this time by honoring the darkness and
embodying this pristine and sacred Light and co-creating a
Season of Light for yourself, filled with empowerment, hope, and
beautiful dreams for your future. We have an opportunity to go
inward - both individually and collectively - and embody the
Light and healing frequencies available at this time, to heal
ourselves - and the planet - with sacred Luminosity and love.
We are moving toward fulfilling the greatest experience on Earth
– that of awakening to our Wholeness. Being with the darkness,
the silence, and discovering what lies ahead takes courage.
Your reflections may reveal what's necessary for the journey
toward the future. Open your heart and consciousness to the
experience of the Light pouring into the Earth and share in
celebration of the collective Truth that we are all Whole. Even
though we may be separated physically from one another - we
are one in Spirit.
Both darkness and daylight are critical to nature, and to our
inner and outer growth. Life cannot exist without both, without
the moon and the sun! The darkness offers rest, dreams, an
exploration of our shadow side, while the sun brings warmth, a
reawakening of life, and hope for another day. Wholeness
requires that we honor both.
I love Charlie Murphy's (1953-2016) 1984 song, “Light is
Returning". It's a perfect reminder that even in the darkest
time, there is hope. Charlie Murphy was a folk singer/songwriter,
a pioneering musician who promoted gay rights and challenged
sexism. His song is often used during celebrations around the
winter solstice. The lyrics speak to any person or any society
facing difficult times and still remain hopeful for a better future.
Here’s a simple journaling exercise you can use to
acknowledge the darkness and the light (Adapted from a
presentation by Collette Barron Reid):
Honoring the Darkness
1. Meditate on what the darkness means to you, and the gifts it
brings. We have the opportunity to turn within, to “hibernate” in
our cocoons of warmth as we wait for the sunlight to return.
2. Explore the concept of rest. Without some quiet deep rest, we
would have no dreams, no growth, no gestation period. Rest
might look different for all of us, but it always involves
disconnecting from the pressures to “produce.”
Journal about what rest feels like to you. Consider what you
want to leave behind at the end of 2020.
Welcoming the Light
3. Meditate on what sunlight means to you, and the gifts it
brings. With the return of the longer daylight, we’re reminded of
the life force within every living being. I love this quote from
NASA: “The Sun warms our seas, stirs our atmosphere,
generates our weather patterns, and gives energy to the
growing green plants that provide the food and oxygen for life
on Earth.” With the growing daylight, our spirits and energy rise!
4. Explore the concept of light. The Sun is the source of all
energy. We appreciate its power more when we’ve been without
it! Light candles or turn on the holiday lights that may be in your
home this season. Let it be a reminder of the coming return of
the Sun, and the gifts it brings.
Journal about the connection of daylight and hope. How can you
keep your light lit in the darkness? Start dreaming about what
you want to create and invite into your life in 2021. What are
ways you can renew yourself by grounding and creating sacred
space for co-creating a world you envision?
As the Great Round turns, the celebrations along the way
invite us to pay attention to the natural cycles taking place
around us- and reflect on how they deeply influence and
enhance our lives as members of the natural world. During this
Solstice season, we have an opportunity to pay close attention
to how the lowest point of the Sun draws us inward. Winter
Solstice rituals are often associated with release and letting go,
taking time to reflect on the past year, and welcoming the new.
This Co-Creative Mandala "Luminosity" from a photograph of a
dahlia reminds us that we are both the Light and and the
recipients of the Light. We all have an amazing light within. It's
time to let that light shine brightly to bring healing, love, and
Light to the world by acknowledging your presence and
purpose.
The gift of light we thankfully take
But not shall it be alone for our sake
The more we give light
The one to the other
It shines and it spreads
and it glows still further
Until every spark by friends set aflame
Until every heart with joy to proclaim
In the depths of our souls
a shining sun glows.
Anonymous
In this simple, yet powerful exercise, I invite you to celebrate
Luminosity and feel supported by your inner and outer
resources. Honor this powerful time of darkness and return of
Light.
Intention:
1. Connect with and call in Luminosity as a vehicle for
transformation and letting go of all unwanted energies.
2. Infuse your body, mind, and spirit with the energies of
Luminosity for the purpose of allowing shadows to transform
into radiant light.
Give yourself plenty of time without interruptions to dive
deeply into this exercise. Meditate, journal, create and bless
your sacred space.
Make this exercise your own. Invest your time and attention.
Don’t rush.
As you sit quietly in your space, light a candle that welcomes
Luminosity; "the state of producing or reflecting bright light,
appearing to shine". What does Luminosity mean to you?
Close your eyes. Bring your awareness to your breath; just be
with your breath. Take a deep breath in. Breathe out. Take
another deep breath in. Breathe out. Notice the sensations as
you exhale—without judgement. Feel the body breathing. Bring
your body into stillness.
Open your eyes and bring your attention to the Luminosity
mandala; allow the mandala energy to fill your heart; be with
whatever is there.
Invest a few minutes toward allowing the Luminosity energy to
flow to and through your body. Imagine that energy bursting
through your crown chakra and extending far into the heavens.
Imagine the Luminosity energy flowing through you and down
deep into the earth. Imagine it radiating from your heart and
extending out in front of you and behind you. Imagine the
Luminosity energy is a radiant ball that encircles you.
Now, sit with this energy for a few minutes.
What about the Luminosity mandala captures your attention?
Notice and Wonder--Something in me is feeling...
I wonder what it wants me to know?
Relax into your body and its quietness. Be with the energy, be
present, listen:
1. Speak aloud a prayer or intention that releases any and all
unwanted energies, beliefs, or thoughts that no longer serve so
that they may be dissolved and changed into the radiant light of
Luminosity. Enter into stillness, accept what is, and release
the burdens of this year so you can be a light in the world. Draw
in "Luminosity" into your body by cupping your hands and
passing them over your entire body, from crown to feet, saying:
“I am a keeper of Luminosity".
2. Sit in silence and stillness for some time with Luminosity,
and visualize its warmth and light radiating out from your heart,
encompassing the whole Earth. See yourself as a burst of light
in the darkness. Appreciate the deep desire to connect with the
sacred – within you and in all of humanity. You have the power t
to create real change in the world. And this moment is requiring
that you step into your purpose, to be a radiant, luminous sun
that brings light to the darkness.
To the outside world it doesn’t look like anything’s happening at
this time of year. Life is still and quiet; there’s no movement.
And yet … deep in the dark, a quiet transformation is
happening. This is the transformation you and all of nature, are
undergoing throughout winter. . The daylight hours are short; the
trees are bare. Everything appears dead or frozen. You don’t
see anything meaningful happening. But in the darkness, hidden
inside or deep underground, a magical transformation is
occurring.
The winter solstice is the moment when the Earth begins tilting
back toward the sun and the days begin getting longer. In the
natural world, this season is the beginning of a new cycle of
growth. That makes this moment a really hopeful, inspiring time
on the Great Round; it's a time of infinite possibilities. The new
spark that is lit on the winter solstice, this tiny flame of
inspiration, has the potential to grow into anything.
The winter solstice is nature's reminder, that even when life is a
its darkest – as dark as it can get – the tiniest spark of light, the
faintest glimmer of Luminosity, of hope remain and will blossom
and grow into something beautiful next spring.
Wishing you joy and peace during this Season of Hope and
Light.