Rays of light

As the darker months approach, how can we hold on to the light? How can we embrace the dark? How can we keep our own light shining?

The rosebay willowherb, lined up at the edge of the lane, was dressed in its reds, yellows and golds, the very autumn colours I once thought gave it its nickname of fireweed. The tops of the beech trees below us were tinged with gold and everyone we met as we walked up the hill had a smile and a ‘lovely morning isn’t it?’ Up high the fields were bathed in bright, dew sparkling sunshine, the sky was blue all over and the meadow pipits dipped and sang joyfully above our heads. 

It’s easy on days like these. 

When you live in our deep valley and the darker months are approaching you wish you could store up the light. Winters can be particularly dark and wet and a bit slimy in this Pennine town and this is on everyone’s mind as the nights draw in. So, we have to make the most of a sunny morning, even if it is only a quick loop around the meadows before work.

It seemed a shame to leave the light and drop into the dark woods which were our route back into town. Maybe we should go another way? In fact maybe we should abandon the whole idea of going to work today and just keep walking? But we stuck to the plan, I had a busy day ahead and Nutclough Woods with its tumbling water and deep ravine is always a sight to behold.

As we stepped down into the trees we discovered it was not dark at all; cue the choir and gather the angels, there were 'God rays' and they were everywhere.

I wished I’d gone and stood on this path under those rays and asked Dean to take a picture. My arms outstretched, looking into the light, beam me up!

There was light here and the big old trees were loving it.

Thinking about light and how we need it has made me think about how can we prepare for the darker months ahead? How can we hold on to the light? How can we embrace the dark? How can we keep our own light shining?

There’s something lovely about the thought of hibernating. Getting cosy in the burrow, bedding down and having a good old rest, processing everything that happened in the summer months and letting your leaf mulch nourish your soil for the coming year. But as nature is beginning to wind down I’m about to get busy! November and December are my busiest months in the business. I make lights! People need lights in the dark and I’m glad to be able to provide that service. For us, when the clocks change things ramp up and we are go go go in the studio. And I make things that people give as Christmas gifts which gives me a lot of joy and keeps us busy! I just have to remember to go slow and be careful with my energy at this busy time, so, I thought I'd write a little manifesto for myself and share it here in case it's useful for you too. 

Notes to myself - (and to you if they are useful)

• Try and get outside as much as possible, to look for the beauty, the glimmers, the light. When the sun shines, go and get in it. Walk the long way to work in the morning because on the way home it’ll be dark!
  

• Take good care of yourself. Order the vitamin D, drink the water, eat good food, go to bed early. (I’ve just started taking some medicinal mushrooms and adaptogenic herbs. It feels like getting support directly from the forest).
  

• Remember that you ARE the light. It’s easy to look for it outside of ourselves but remember how much other people can light you up. You can be that light for other people too. It’s all in there. All of these things we do to look after ourselves help us to uncover it. The world needs this.
  

• Make home nice - tidy the burrow, light the candles, make a nest, rest in it.
  

• Read a lot. Stay nourished. The Light in the Dark by Horatio Clare (a valley resident author) is waiting for me.
  

• JUMP. Well that's my chosen form of exercise. I have a re bounder trampoline. Three good song. Lifts the mood. Moves the lymph.

• Stay connected to friends and family and be a support for one another. Gather around the fire for some cosy times together. You can still stay connected without saying yes to everything!
  

• See what works best. Add to this list. It's all a work in progress.
  
  

We can do it can't we! Let’s not be afraid to dip down deep into the dark woods. In the right conditions at the right time of day the sun can reach into the darkest corners. We’ve just got to be there to see it.

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