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Night Light

It's the darkest, longest night of the year today, the Winter Solstice, which happens on December 21st. On this day, the sun reaches its most southerly track relative to the position of the equator. This leaves the Northern hemisphere in darkness with the shortest number of hours of sunlight, while on the opposite side of the world in the Southern hemisphere, the daylight hours stretch out into the longest day of the year. The closer you are the the equator, the longer the day. The further you are from the equator, the longer the night. As with everything in life, it's all relative.


For the Northern hemisphere, the Winter Solstice correlates with numerous celebrations of light. All of the holidays celebrated during the Fall and Winter months are celebrations of light: Diwali, Hanukkah, the Solstice, Yule, Christmas, Kwanzaa, and the Chinese Lantern Festival (Yuan Xiao Jie). In the darkest times, we as humans seek light. It illuminates, comforts, and warms us. We seek it instinctively, and in it, we find beauty, joy, and hope.


In this time of darkness, it is more important than ever for us to seek out the light, and all that it stands for. Even the smallest flame can dispel the darkness, even the smallest amount of hope can keep us going. We celebrate light at this time of year for a reason. Cultures stretching back thousands of years have fought to keep despair during the harsh Winter months at bay.


We are at a particularly harsh time in our collective lives. It is important, vital even, for us to keep our flames alive right now. Keep tending to your fire. Find beauty in its flickering flames. Find joy in the warmth and comfort it brings. Find hope wherever you can and hold onto it. If your fire is already burning strong, help illuminate the lives of others. These are my wishes for you, and for all of us this holiday season.


Stay well, stay gentle, stay hopeful.

Ginger and Spice Candle in vintage glassware by Hecho A Mano @hecho_a_mano

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