Here we are in the day of shortest daylight of the year, winter solstice. In the northern hemisphere we are at the farthest point from the sun. Some of us celebrate this day, a time to reflect on the darkness, on our shadows waiting for the light to return. Some of us don’t like it at all and just say it won’t be long until we have more minutes of daylight.
I noticed this year, and we mentioned it in Tai Chi classes this week, that the publicity this year seems to be on this day being special, unusual, a day to really pay attention and look up into the sky. Why look up? Because this solstice is going to include a full moon and meteor shower. Both are worth looking into the sky to catch a glimpse. These phenomena are filled with light, a full, bright moon, a shower of light flashes from the meteor shower, the light we are longing for. Maybe it will be cloudy and I will look up to see darkness or outlines of clouds. Even if that is the case, I feel some excitement about the cycles of nature that cause me to be still, look up, get outside of myself.
So, if you live in a place where the sky is clear and the sun has set, look up. Note that the winter solstice is here and you might see something spectacular. Paying attention, attuning ourselves with nature rhythms may produce a few moments of “wonder”.