Honoring the Holy Days and Holy Season

Written By Devin Green

For many, the “dedicated” Holy Days just came to an end (Hannukah and Winter Solstice/Yule) and for some, their Holy Day arrives on the 25th (Christmas). And for some still, their Cultural Holy Days begin on the 26th (Kwanzaa). Regardless of what Holy Day you honor (or not), this season is a Holy season. A season that encourages us to connect with spirituality, magic, hope, joy, and beauty as the light returns, as the light arrives, as the light remains lit.  

Celebrating the light is an essential part of this Holy Season. And yet, it is still winter. It is still dark. 

In our society, we often try to shut out the dark. Literally with artificial light, but also figuratively - we prefer the positive, the bright, the hope. It sometimes feels like our society is scared of the dark. That it prefers the metaphorical summer to the winter. It prefers light: “up” energy and doing to the dark: rest and being. But this time is so essential and valuable. This season invites us to connect with the dark, the unknown, the embrace of stillness and what can arise in the dark. This deepest winter calls for us to rest and BE. 

We are meant to be basking in the darkness, embracing the nights and being embraced by the night. And we are meant to be moving slow, including as we move into this new year. In Pagan and Earth-based traditions, many see Yule (Winter Solstice) as the actual transition into a new year - the light has tipped back and it is a new cycle. It is not an immediate transition from one year to the next like “okay bye, moving on…” No. We are meant to very slowly and restfully be with ourselves in this deep winter and then move with the slow momentum of the light returning into the cycle of new beginnings that starts to emerge ever so slightly on February 1st (Imbolc) and really begins around March 20 (Spring Equinox). 

So… I hope whatever Holy Day you celebrate, you will give yourself the gift of ease, rest, flow and not putting pressure on yourself to show up in any particular way and to really embrace both the darkness as well as the beauty and magic of the arriving/returning light. 

If this idea of moving slowly and following our natural rhythms in connection with the earth resonates with you, I invite you to join me on the Sacred January Journey. This month-long program aligns with our rhythms and SLOWLY and intentionally supports us in honoring the past cycle and then imagining and intending what is meant to grow and be in our new cycle. You can learn more and sign up here. 

And, if you want to learn more about Winter and all the spiritual/religious Holy Days and some of the mysticism behind them, here are some ways to explore:

However you’re feeling this Season of Holy Days, you are not alone. This may be a joyous time or a challenging time or somewhere in the middle/sprinklings of both throughout. I am sending you love as you navigate these days. May you feel embraced by the darkness and able to rest when you feel called to rest. And may you also encounter moments of magic, beauty and joy like a candle in the darkness. 

May it be so and Happy Holy Days Friends.

Rev. Dev
The Connected Way™

Devin Green
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