From the time of the Fall Equinox, we have experienced less and less sunlight each day leading up to the upcoming Winter Solstice. Many indigenous cultures throughout the world have celebrated this return of light onto the planet for centuries. Many have built sacred temples and sites in alignment with this sacred return of the light each year. The Sun enters Capricorn on the evening of December 21^st this year. From that moment, our days begin to get longer again and therefore, we experience more physical light. This cycle continues to repeat itself every 13 moons.

    We may choose to become more conscious of these cycles and become one with the energies so they may manifest in our personal lives. During the fall season, we have the opportunity to work with the energies of going within ourselves, like a bear going into the cave. When we return to ourselves, we may gain more clarity, love, wisdom and compassion. This may also lead us into the dark side of ourselves or the dark night of the soul. Perhaps we would prefer to avoid this experience, yet this return into ourselves is a gift which allows us to grow more spiritually as well as mentally, emotionally and physically if we actually use the opportunity. We often have a tendency to resist the uncomfortable, which is totally understandable. Yet I believe we may actually get more from the experience when we embrace it full with body, mind and spirit.

    When we finally emerge from the cave, we may shine our light more brightly, have more compassion and empathy for others, have more ability to be kind and understanding. Perhaps we may have been gifted with being more vulnerable and open our hearts to give love and receive love. Aaaah . . . to give love is easy, yes? To receive love and kindness from others sometimes is a bit more challenging. It still amazes me when I observe resistance to love. So many of us have been hurt in relationships with friends, family and lovers that hearts have been hardened and suspicious. Let us gift ourselves during this holiday season to truly open our hearts to love. To not only give love, but also to allow ourselves to receive love from those who wish to share themselves with us.

    The gift of love is not shown in physical presents, you know gifts! (jewelry, clothes, flowers, etc.) OK, we all like presents. No kidding! Yet, what I am speaking of here is much greater. It is presence. Showing up and truly being present in the lives of your friends, family, spouses, lovers or potential lovers. Being physically present and ‘showing up’ are also two different things. I will leave that discussion for another time, yet I ask that we all contemplate ‘showing up.’ Some of this ‘showing up’ has a strong flavor of being vulnerable. Eeeeeh! Yes, being vulnerable and showing ourselves filled with love, adoration, thoughtfulness and kindness to another, is actually showing great strength and courage.

    Let us all move into courage of the heart during this holiday season and be the Sacred Heart shining our Light and Love. If you receive challenges in your love shining brightly then turn up the wattage and shine even brighter.

    May the Christ Light Shine onto the Planet, our lives and deep within our hearts, now and forever. We are all one. I am you and you are me. We are all related. Let us love each other and ourselves deeply, truly and fully.

Happy Holidays!

Blessings and Love,

Margaret