The Long Dark

It is early in the morning, in the new year 2025.  As I walk my dog past the lake, I notice a dozen ducks gliding down to land on the water.  They congregate together, bobbing on the surface.  One by one they begin to dive under water until there are none left at the surface, the lake now an empty mirror.  The ducks have gone into the deep together, foraging. I am reminded of a winter solstice message from Francis Weller that I recently listened to, where he spoke of humanity being in the “long dark”.  A place where we journey deep into the darkness, where the soul resides.  Weller says there is medicine to be found in the long dark, and medicines we need for the journey there, one being friendship and community. Circles.  Refugias.  Nature is showing me this morning that diving into the dark for deep soul nourishment is necessary, and so much more potent when done in community.  Gather your circles.  We will be here a while.  And we need each other.