Officially the darkest day of 2024 is the winter solstice on Dec. 21. It’s the shortest day and longest night of the year in the Northern Hemisphere. Parallel to that seasonal darkness is the current social, political and economic scene. It brings the feeling that dark days are upon us and have been for some time.
During these times of darkness and uncertainty, it can be difficult to preserve naturally balanced physiological and psychological rhythms that would bring us optimal levels of wellness. The ease of slipping out of balance into the fear of darkness and isolation can seem not only like one option, but the only option. Darkness and fear have always been related. Some of the greatest atrocities of humanity have taken place because people slipped into ignorance and fear. Not knowing which way is up and which way is down, we need to remind ourselves that this is not something new. Dark times are unavoidable and have purpose and a pattern.
According to natural principles of Traditional Chinese Medicine, the seasonal changes are nature’s way of keeping the nervous system in check. Darkness and colder temperatures encourage us to take rest, stay warm and find solace indoors. The same goes for the dark and cold times in society. When we go through a challenging time, evolution and transformation are surely on their way. For those who don’t turn away and are willing to listen, the darkness is leading us inward to the inner guiding light. It will reveal to us what we truly are.
A good way to nourish ourselves externally is with fire. There is something entrancing about being in the presence of fire. Certainly, the warmth it provides is comforting and there is a sense of safety in the light. Maybe this stems from older times when the fire was protection from the outside animal world and the light showed the way. Deep within we are still connected in that way to our ancestors, who shared a reverence for the light. Fire and light are used in many world rituals and ceremonies in a symbolic way to remind us of something more mystical. Many of the wisdom traditions refer to the Divine as being the Light.
In Eastern Traditions, consciousness and light are closely linked. In the literal sense, we cannot see without light. It is the guiding light within we are needing to see better. However, unconsciously we tend to move into the darkness of ignorance and assume that we are only body and mind. By willpower and discipline practices like traditional yoga, storytelling, performance arts and remembrance rituals, a deeper self becomes available. It can show us the light within that would reveal universal layers of understanding and creative solutions.
Great spiritual teachers throughout history have described our consciousness as a form of energy which is either directly connected or very closely related to light. Within the wisdom traditions of the world the concept of dharma, or “eternal path,” emphasizes living in harmony with universal, timeless principles to achieve individual and collective well-being.
Just like all things old and new, there is chaos and order, darkness and light. Balance is not a lofty goal or a hopeful dream but a natural process in life. Through our inclusion of both darkness and light we can see both inside and out. Immediately after the Winter Solstice, days will gradually grow longer as the Earth tilts back toward the sun, moving toward the spring equinox on March 20, 2025 and the light will return as it has since the beginning of time.
Tim Hahn is a Springfield business owner with his wife, Molly. They have three children and have been running a Wellness Center together for almost 15 years.
This article appears in Winter 2024 December 2024.
