Winter Solstice

It was the winter solstice yesterday. A rain storm has been upon us throughout most of California, and it’s been raining fairly steadily for a few days now. Despite the rain yesterday I followed through with a plan to go hiking with my two dear friends in the mountains, Toni and Jen. It has become our tradition to hike to the Christmas tree in the woods in the nearby forest around Christmas time. We discovered this tree well over 10 years ago that had started putting ornaments.

It felt so good to be in the woods walking in the rain. It was raining steadily but wasn’t too cold, which made the hike enjoyable. By the time we finished the 2.7-mile hike, we were all soaked to the bones. It made our post-hike whisky by the fire even tastier.

Later I attended the Winter Solstice ceremony at our friend, Sun Jay, the medicine woman’s, a small gathering of local people in a sacred circle. Something about this time of the year and the long darkness feels sacred to me, and I’m grateful to have this opportunity to honor this season. Around the sacred circle, we quietly reflected on things to let go of and things to be grateful for.

I reveled in the hallowed embrace of friendship — the kind that dances with raindrops and kindles flames of shared stories. To tread the path with companions who seek solace in the company of trees and honor the rhythm of seasons is a blessing beyond measure. I offered my gratitude for the gift of friends, for the joy of rain-soaked trails, and for the timeless tradition of honoring the passage of time.