Winter Stillness - take time to be still and reflect

As time ticks down towards the coming festivities and some of us are busy visiting santa, going to the panto and the kids school show, xmas bazaars and so on, its sometimes hard to remember to make time to sit and be still. Maybe to reflect on the past year and the new one to come. Whether you make resolutions at the new year or not, this time is one that definately encourages me to think about the past and future. I know I have mentioned before that I get this kind of feeling between Samhain and the Winter Solstice as the year and the natural cycle of life winds down into deep winter.

It seems even more important since the weather has changed drastically and so many of us are forced to stay home from work and school. Some dramatically cut off in their villages and more remote areas. Even here on the edge of the city of Canterbury, I have been given a day off work as the schools are closed for the day. Reluctant at first as I dont get paid when Im not at work and with my approaching change of career/work I cant really afford any more loss of income.


But then I decided to make this a gift to myself. I have made plans to make solstice cards with Rhiannon this afternoon and just enjoy the day for what it is. I took some photos of the view from my bedroom window and was entranced by the stillness and peace of the scene. Normally I can see buses climbing the hill behind my garden. Cars weaving up and down the road.

Today nothing moves. There is no sound of engines or people calling to each other. Even the bird song seems absent and although Im sure later there will be sounds of children enjoying snowball fights and snowman building, as I write this, I am enjoying the 'sound of the silence.'

It may be an enforced silence and rest for some of us - but welcome in the rushing busy world most of us inhabit. It reminds me to make sure I allow moments of stillness and peace into my life. Its a soul necessity.