Emma Kathryn Wild Witchcraft

I write this on Yule eve, sitting in my living room, tree lights twinkling, warm and cosy in my shawl, with darkness pressing in at the windows. For many people who celebrate, Yule signifies the promise of the returning light after the longest night of the year. It is true that after the winter solstice, the daylight hours will begin to lengthen, imperceptibly so at first, but I think we shouldn’t be too quick to dismiss the longest night and the gifts the darkness has to offer.

We all feel that winter is a time for slowing down, of echoing what we see happening in nature. Things do not stop, my busy bird feeder hanging from the cherry tree attests to that, but there is a slowness that is a feature of the season. But because of our busy modern lifestyles, most of us do not have the time and opportunity to take things slower. Quite often, the festive season is busier than other times of the year, both physically and mentally, as we prepare for the festivities, and stress over them too. By taking a moment to sit with the darkness at Yule, we can begin to bring some of the calming energy into our bodies, into our lives, providing a healing and restorative pause in the madness of the world.

Into the Darkness is a short grounding exercise that you can use any time you have need of it. It reminds us that the darkness isn’t something to fear, to be held at arms length, but instead contains a power that we can tap into whenever we have need of it. You might wish to record yourself reading it and using the recording as a guided visualisation, or you can read it over a few times and take the parts that work for you and adapt those that do not.

To begin, sit or lay comfortably, making sure you are warm enough. Close your eyes and allow your attention to go to your breathing. Do not change the rhythm or depth of your breathing, but simply become aware of it and the sensations within your own body. Acknowledge any sounds within the room and outside of the room before allowing them to pass and just spend this moment allowing your body to rest and be still, enjoying the sensations as your body begins to relax into itself. Notice the darkness behind your closed eyelids. Consider the darkness of the longest night. The darkness of the fertile earth even as it rests over winter, ready to bring forth the new life at spring; the darkness of the womb; of the star-filled sky. The darkness of Yule is not empty but instead carries within it all that we are, all we have been and all we are yet to become, free from expectation but instead filled with the promise of tomorrow. This is a place of rest, the darkness of the longest night. Step into it and allow yourself to be rested, for as long as you need.

When you feel ready, take a deeper breath and hold for a count of four and release. Open your eyes.

However you celebrate the festive season, may it be filled with peace, joy and happiness.