Life is Death
We are deep into the Celtic season of Samhain. And the Winter's Solstice is drawing near.
The day is sliding more into darkness and chilled flow from the North is starting to become more the norm than the exception. This is the season of being inside, not just inside our homes, but inside our spirit as well. It is a time of withdrawal. Plants and animals are withdrawing as well. Many plants wither down to the ground while others go dormant with naked branches exposed fully to the wind, snow, and ice. The scurrying animals of Autumn have filled their bodies with food, stored away their cache of nourishment, and have retreated to their safe spaces hoping to be warm and fed enough for the coming days of the absence of resources.
Native Americans speak of the seasonal cycles in all of our lives and they suggest that a "season" can take up to a year in a person's life and that those emotional and spiritual seasons cycle over and over again throughout our lives on Earth.
Earth brings us to winter as a way of readying herself for the new life of spring. Sometimes we go there willingly, but it's often a feeling of reluctance or even dread. Perhaps you are in a season of winter in your own life. Maybe you are feeling the absence of sustaining love or embrace, or the lack of motivation toward the goals that once brought you inspiration and energy, or you might be waking in the morning to a darkened room and wondering what, if anything, that this day could bring that would awaken your heart.
Earth is a good teacher. Earth says that the hardened winter ground hides seeds that are readying themselves for the moment that the call to move upward again comes upon them. Earth says that there is enough energy from the green leaves of spring and summer to move through winter and rejuvenate life again at its right time. Earth says that twigs and branches that look dead and breakable are actually still very strong and often flexible and that the shape of the tree is designed to shed the weight of the snow instead of break under its pressures. Earth says that life never stops and that the flow of life from the Creator is an always dying and resurrecting force. Earth says that even in winter, occasionally the song birds can still be heard as they continue relationship with one another. Earth says all is well. And perhaps it is well for you in the inner season too.
In this winter and darkness, may you find reserve enough to consider the life that is even available in death, and may you gain insight and awareness of the good of all things so thoroughly that you know that you are part of the goodness of all things.
Kirk Webb , director of The Celtic Center
