BLESSING FOR THE LONGEST NIGHT
All throughout these months
as the shadows
have lengthened,
this blessing has been
gathering itself,
making ready,
preparing for
this night.
It has practiced
walking in the dark,
traveling with
its eyes closed,
feeling its way
by memory
by touch
by the pull of the moon
even as it wanes.
So believe me
when I tell you
this blessing will
reach you
even if you
have not light enough
to read it;
it will find you
even though you cannot
see it coming.
You will know
the moment of its
arriving
by your release
of the breath
you have held
so long;
a loosening
of the clenching
in your hands,
of the clutch
around your heart;
a thinning
of the darkness
that had drawn itself
around you.
This blessing
does not mean
to take the night away
but it knows
its hidden roads,
knows the resting spots
along the path,
knows what it means
to travel
in the company
of a friend.
So when
this blessing comes,
take its hand.
Get up.
Set out on the road
you cannot see.
This is the night
when you can trust
that any direction
you go,
you will be walking
toward the dawn.
~ Jan Richardson ~
Wishing you a blessed Solstice, dear friends.
With much love and kindest regards…
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A Wabi Sabi Life 
We will be taking the hand of the longest night, inviting neighbors over for a bonfire, prayers, and ceremony. Thank you for adding to my celebration by sharing this exquisite poem. Ann
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What a lovely celebration and ceremony, Ann. I’ll light a candle and join you in spirit, with love.
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Hope it finds me. This is beautiful. Thank you ❤️❤️
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May it…you’re most welcome.
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My dear Katharine!
I LOVE this poem! It portrays the returning light as a sacred being! And I travel the road with you, my friend! Happy Solstice. We celebrate with a neighborhood bonfire this evening!
Much love and joy to you and Sig! (Do you have a new dog?)
Sarah
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Yes…dear Sarah…Walker is our new “joy boy” and we love him to bits. Happy Solstice. I’ll light a candle and join you in spirit around the fire. Much love.
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