Hello loves,
It’s been a few weeks since I’ve written a Sunday newsletter. And that feels strange. I’ve missed the ritual and I’ve missed connecting with you all. Life lately has been what can only be described as swirly and disorienting. Since October 7th. Since Eclipse season. Since some big personal changes and challenges I’m moving through (I’ll share more about these soon). And I know this is true for many of y’all too. And I can’t help but wonder if the medicine is to just simply be together in the mess and uncertainty of it all. To witness and hold each other in this wild transition space we’re in as a species and a planet.
With the end of the year nearing, I’ve been thinking about the solstice. As a marker of time. As a guide. And I’m reflecting on how much I’ve changed and how much the world has changed since last winter. The love I’ve lost and the new love I’ve received. The miracles and the grief. The collective heartache and the profound healing and art and beauty that is emerging from folks’ willingness to fall apart. The way grief and this water year have changed my body, and our collective body; softening us, opening us, making us more porous. The way tears and water magic and grace are holy teachers. Every tear a womb. Every drop of connection a rebirth.
I’ve been thinking about the new archetypes and new spirits we’re all learning to put our faith in and the release of outdated stories and archetypes that are no longer useful for us, no longer life giving for these times. I’m not fully clear about what all of these are yet, but I can feel the transformation. When I tune in I can sense the melting down of stories of singularity. The sunset of individualism, capitalism and colonialism. Can hear the tiny sparks of new light, new spirits forming in our dreams at night. My attention pulled toward the faintest glimmers of early dawn in a new world.
And I’m seeing the connection of this with the winter solstice, which has always been a turning point for the light. A time of the greatest darkness but that which always promises new light and new life. A significant turn on the wheel of the year that would have offered some of the most profound wisdom and support for our ancient ancestors. I’m imagining the way they would have let the fallowness of the season carry them into dream realms. And the potent magic they would have brought back with them. Stories and archetypes of hope and renewal and resilience. Stories and archetypes dreamed up and told around the fire for survival.
And I’m grateful to feel into this wisdom. And these shifts.
Here we are on the precipice of a whole new journey with our sun, our magnificent star. And the next iteration of our collective evolution.
So let us plant our dreams with the stars in the fertile dark.
Let us call upon the faith of our ancestors and remember that the great mystery is always guiding us toward new light, new life.
And let us humbly and joyously receive the magic and light of the new archetypes and new spirits that are sparking for no other reason than to lovingly hold us, right here as our world transitions.
I love y’all. And I’m wishing you a warm and cozy solstice and safe and happy holidays to those who celebrate.
🌻 Josie
Resources that are nourishing me:
✨ I’ve been loving this song my brother recently shared with me. Gentle invitations around change and light and grief and grace.
✨ This beautiful and powerful reflection written by Justin Ebrahemi on reclaiming Judaism from the violence of Zionism. Support the post and follow their work here
✨ This episode of the Fair Folk Podcast that explores Christmas and its connections with the solstice. There’s also some stunning carols woven throughout.
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I am endlessly grateful to each of you for your presence here. Your contribution and sharing is so appreciated.