Waking In the Dark

In recent years, I've noticed the silent dread that arises as the days grow shorter. In my heart, I knew I needed to shift my relationship to the dark - to begin understanding its presence and the holiness that it holds. This winter, I had the courage to explore this relationship more deeply, which brought me to Clark Strand's book, Waking Up to the Dark:

"The time has come to rethink our relationship with darkness and all that it portends." p. 40

Strand's experience of the dark reflects a warm embrace that I've been resisting in the past. The ancient wisdom held within the Hour of the Wolf or Hour of God - those nights where we naturally wake up around 2 or 3 in the morning - I've felt my self rather than resist these moments, to begin leaning in and starting a conversation with the Great Spirit of All That Is.  I found myself recently stirred awake by my cat which triggered a default response of frustration and anger. I paused and thought, "It's the Hour of God; what a holy time to be awake." I felt myself soften and enter a state that isn't quite awake, but not quite asleep, and began the conversation that my soul needed.

On these nights when I awaken

may I soften my body

from my heart to my head.

And bare my soul to the beauty and wisdom of God.