A whirl of colored lights and tinsel…no snow, again, this year..and just like that: Christmas is over. I hope it was all you wanted it to be. I hope it was a day of celebration and joyous clamor and some nice, quiet moments. I hope there was good food and laughter and happy memories made. I hope it was fun.
Now here we are, on the other side of Christmas but not yet done with the holidays. We have time to breathe in this in-between time, when the days of the year draw to a close but the page has not yet turned. This entire week is liminal space, the Dark Moon of the year. We have accomplished another Christmas, and now we can rest.
Come. Sit with me, if you will. Together in this magical space, let us breathe in the stillness. Open your hands to me, and I will offer mine. Between us, heavy in the potent air, our hands hang; inviting, waiting. Let the past year pour through your fingers like beads, touching each moment and letting it go, pooling in your lap. There are so many, on and on, blending with the years before and drawing more time with them as they fall. See if you can catch hold of your very worst moment, and your very best. Hold them, these opposing forces, one in each hand. Feel their weight and texture. Welcome them into this safe space, for they have a right to be here at the end of their time. Do you need to sit with any of these moments longer, or is it time to let them go entirely? Take all the time that you need, and when you are ready take my hands and we will pause gravity.
Yes, we can do that too, here at this magical time. The world we know vanishes into warm darkness, our memories spin around us and swirl outward, our only source of light, forming the constellations of our own galaxies. I cannot see yours unless you show them to me, and you cannot see mine, but we are warmed by their glow just the same. Can you feel the magic? We are dust among these stars, the very dust that formed them. We are eternal. Hold to me, don’t let go. We could dance here forever—or has it been only a moment? Ground me, your hands my line back to Earth; I’ll do the same for you. There is nothing more to want here, nothing to hope for, nothing to need. Can you not see? You are your own cosmere, and me here to witness. Wholly holy, complete.
Witching Week, the time between end and beginning. Gradually we settle, the minutes tick over, advancing steadily towards midnight. One void-deep breath, release, open your eyes. We’re back, my friend, and I swear you’re still glowing. Am I? We’ll be OK, won’t we? This year will be better because we know yourselves more, and knowledge is power. Use yours gently, my friend. I’ll do the same. Thank you for taking this time with me. I’ll see you on the other side.