The short days of winter have always seemed to me deeply inspiring, where the dim light offers moments of reflection and tranquillity. These days, the lack of brightness helps us contemplate, rather than merely see. Sometimes a glimpse says more than what meets the eye.
As we approach the winter solstice, nature pauses. Many plants seem to surrender to slumber, and the activity of animals quietens as they seek refuge in their burrows. I, too, retreat into mine, finding stillness and the simple pleasure of being wrapped in a blanket, enhancing my introspection.
Yet this pause is far from idle. Beneath the soil, seeds are preparing to awaken in spring. I stop and look back, reflecting on the path I've travelled and envisioning all that lies ahead. Nature, in its wisdom, reminds us of the value of pausing to reflect, to gain awareness, and to gather strength.
For many cultures, such as the Celts, the winter solstice marked the day when the sun triumphed over darkness, a symbol later embraced by the Romans as Natalis Solis Invicti.
The solstice is a promise that after the long winter, life will bloom again.
Elena Goded,
Founder of ÁBBATTE
