The time of Winter Solstice is upon us.

I really love this transition from decay and deep darkness to ever increasing light, to re-birth.

And though the Solstice heralds Winter, along with cold and frozen days and nights, the promise of Spring is everywhere we look!

In the minute or two more each day of sunlight. In the tightly wrapped buds on many trees, especially the magnolia, which often flowers so early it's flowers freeze and drop like pale pink snow.

The plum in my friend's yard will also flower, and somehow, those tiny wonders hang on with purpose and vitality, proclaiming, "The Master is aware!"

Witch hazel in our garden will flower in February, stretching yellow fingers into the cold air, somehow inviting other flowers to follow.

In Japanese, the Winter Solstice is sometimes described as "Ichiyou Raifuku", the turning point from Yin to Yang, and we can feel this energy shifting in the darkness.

Gathering light and all that the sun enlivens simply cannot be halted.

As that energy gathers, it reminds us that we too ebb and flow with this energy. It's simply in our blood as sentient beings living in harmony with every other being in this universe.

I bow to the practice that reminds me of this truth!