Solstice Insights -- Second Version
Posted on Dec 24th, 2007
by 
1Vector3
1Vector3
Got some NEW metaphors about solstice.
One is that we cannot go by appearances. Things appear dead. We do not see the potential for renewal, rebirth, if we just look at the surface of things. How often in life do we JUDGE, which is going by appearances?
To not go by appearances, we need to turn to a Bigger Picture, a picture that gives the CONTEXT of present appearances: the context of cycles of nature. In life, the context is that things always change, and always have the potential of change. How much potential don't we see, because we are going by appearances?
Another metaphor is that a seed needs some external conditions like warmth and water, to germinate, but basically, it carries its initial nourishment within itself. We would do well to allow our true nature, our Source, to be the ultimate source of our nourishment, our fuel to keep living and to grow. Not depend quite so much on the externals. Or, more accurately, to allow BOTH inside and outside sources of nourishment in life.
Third: Did you know that solstice is U-shaped, not V-shaped? There are three days where the length of the day barely changes at all, compared to the amount of change on other days of the year. That must be a good metaphor for something. Perhaps that during a change, we can't always see the momentum shift. Often even in the middle of a change, even as things are shifting radically in a new direction, we get discouraged that nothing is seeming to change. Gotta look at the Bigger Picture.
SECOND VERSION ADDITIONAL THOUGHTS: This is what came to me as I was meditating at the moment of solstice:
Not only is there the POTENTIAL of "spring" and summer (a metaphor for just about any wonderful change) even within winter, there is already actual MOMENTUM underway in that direction, could we but perceive it. The metaphor is about the planetary changes we are all seeking. The message was LIVE IN (let your consciousness abide in) THE MOMENTUM, NOT IN THE PRESENT APPEARANCES OF THINGS. The momentum is real; the current appearance of deadness in the natural world, and doom in the human and ecological worlds, is simply a phase, and the momentum is more real because it represents the future which is ALREADY UNDERWAY. (This is not to say ignore or deny current stuff; it's to say "Focus more on where it's leading to.")
This addititonal insight sure lifted my spirits, and I hope yours too, and gave me a guideline for beginning this new year.
What metaphors and insights do YOU get from winter solstice?
One is that we cannot go by appearances. Things appear dead. We do not see the potential for renewal, rebirth, if we just look at the surface of things. How often in life do we JUDGE, which is going by appearances?
To not go by appearances, we need to turn to a Bigger Picture, a picture that gives the CONTEXT of present appearances: the context of cycles of nature. In life, the context is that things always change, and always have the potential of change. How much potential don't we see, because we are going by appearances?
Another metaphor is that a seed needs some external conditions like warmth and water, to germinate, but basically, it carries its initial nourishment within itself. We would do well to allow our true nature, our Source, to be the ultimate source of our nourishment, our fuel to keep living and to grow. Not depend quite so much on the externals. Or, more accurately, to allow BOTH inside and outside sources of nourishment in life.
Third: Did you know that solstice is U-shaped, not V-shaped? There are three days where the length of the day barely changes at all, compared to the amount of change on other days of the year. That must be a good metaphor for something. Perhaps that during a change, we can't always see the momentum shift. Often even in the middle of a change, even as things are shifting radically in a new direction, we get discouraged that nothing is seeming to change. Gotta look at the Bigger Picture.
SECOND VERSION ADDITIONAL THOUGHTS: This is what came to me as I was meditating at the moment of solstice:
Not only is there the POTENTIAL of "spring" and summer (a metaphor for just about any wonderful change) even within winter, there is already actual MOMENTUM underway in that direction, could we but perceive it. The metaphor is about the planetary changes we are all seeking. The message was LIVE IN (let your consciousness abide in) THE MOMENTUM, NOT IN THE PRESENT APPEARANCES OF THINGS. The momentum is real; the current appearance of deadness in the natural world, and doom in the human and ecological worlds, is simply a phase, and the momentum is more real because it represents the future which is ALREADY UNDERWAY. (This is not to say ignore or deny current stuff; it's to say "Focus more on where it's leading to.")
This addititonal insight sure lifted my spirits, and I hope yours too, and gave me a guideline for beginning this new year.
What metaphors and insights do YOU get from winter solstice?
Access: Public
appearance
August 2008 
THANK YOU for taking the focus away from the “Ain't it Awful” to the “Aren't things grand?” Unless we focus on the latter —which does NOT mean denying the surface, but seeing it and then seeking below it; we can't get sustained momentum to keep the changes going in the healthy direction.
The only perspective I got, so far, was that solstice is the earth showing summer-winter as a physical manifestation of unity in duality.
Yes!!! Turn that Wheel, honey! It's all a beautiful cycle.
Great insights and metaphors! Thank you! And if I may add another, in the solstice U wherever you might be at a moment, you just have to go forward with the flow trusting that it will lead to something good, no matter how uncertain things might look from where you are.
Thanks for adding insights and highlighting some of the implications, Meenakshi and Mila, and for your encouragement, Dana!!!!!
I deleted the previous version of this blog entry without checking to see whether there were any comments posted to it. I apologize to anyone whose comment might have accidentally gotten deleted. I will nose around my Notifications and see what I can find; please feel free to repost here!!
Winter Solster tellme it is the beggining of the light of day returning, So it will not get any darker and I so miss the long sunny days. Love Mila response as well as Minakshi.
Yes, not only is the solstice 'U' shaped, but the days of the earliest sunset and latest sunrise are offset by about one month. At my location the earliest sunset (17:17) is on December 7th but the latest sunrise (07:39) isn't until January 6th. You can see the exact times for your location (latitude) here. It also beautifully illustrates the gradual nature of the transition between seasons.
So not only is the shape a 'U,' but the bottom isn't symmetric - which I suppose is why 'night' people are attuned to the solstice before 'morning' people are - they 'see' it first.
Period of Return, Persephone, Mandala Cycle, Elipse, Fruition, HIbernation, Procreation, Reawakening,…
Interesting comment about the solstice affecting the day and night people. I am reminded of what we all know of the pineal gland or third-eye, which releases melatonin in darkness, but does not in presence of light, affecting a large range of biorhythmic function, including subtle sleep patterns and their cycles, sexual development, hibernation in animals, metabolism, and seasonal breeding. Fruiting-blossoming plants do not pay attention to season, per se, but to the amount of quality UV light within a certain full-day cycle.
Also, there are many synchronious ramifications beyond what we scientifically observe - the metaphysical side. Tis a powerful moment to observe in silent reverence with you!
Wow, Albert, I had no idea of the factoid you describe. It's mindblowing. I cannot wrap my brain around it. I would love someday to see a physical model of the earth and sun and the positions and revolutions, so I could grasp the whole seasonal thing and phenomena like the 3 days, and what you describe.
Bryan, thanks for bringing in all those references. The melatonin thing is a FABULOUS additional metaphor: Melatonin is released ONLY in darkness. Growth begins in darkness. It has to BEGIN in darkness. Darkness is a necessary ground or precondition of development. Wonderful understanding; thanks for that one!!!!
O.M. Bastet
OM - I looked for a graphic to directly illustrate this but can't find one. Years ago I took the sunrise/sunset data for where I was living and plotted it using Lotus 123. The result shows this phenomenon exactly. When I get some spare time I'll do it again and post the result in my blogs. In the meantime, think of this - the Earth's tilt is more than just away from the plane of the solar system, it is also away from a line drawn from the center of the Earth to the center of the Sun. Also, if you look at (a very accurate) day/night graphic clock you will see that the distance from the wave amplitudes to the equator, and the distance on the equator to the 'center' of each amplitude is not the same. It's off by a tiny amount, but it's off! Here are some other resources:
daylight clock
time resources
USNO
Also, click on the “Earth's tilt” graphic on this page and move through the seasons.
Bryan - I had forgotten about the day/night impact on melatonin release. Thanks for reminding me. I recall learning that this phenomenon is also responsible for the tendency for late teens and young adults to live as night people - because that's when they get away from the tribe, select mates, and begin to make families. There is a biological reason for the 20 year old who sleeps all day and carouses all night!
Albert, my thoughts are in continuum with yours? What an honor!
Interesting perspectives shared here. The Winter Solstice is a magical time. On my daily walks in nature I especially feel the vibration in everything when there are not as many distractions as in the other seasons.
You say: “We would do well to allow our true nature, our Source, to be the ultimate source of our nourishment, our fuel to keep living and to grow.”
The leafless trees communicate this especially, encouraging to go within to connect with Source energy.
The fragrant evergreens communicate this “to allow BOTH inside and outside sources of nourishment in life”. (your words)
It is wonderful to encounter someone who verbalizes these wisdoms so well.
Hereby a link to a description of a profound solstice celebration I attended recently. http://pods.zaadz.com/great_news_show/discussions/view/221344
thanks You Brian, Great insight to Melatonin production, I must adjust the doses for my elderly clients, appreciate.
Thank You Nell for being such a nature goddess among other angelic spirited insights,
Kcidybom, Is the slight diference your stating here might be the same as the slight difference between Map North and airodimatic North?
OM Bastet, Theremy sentiments exactly, I saw a good demonstration in the movie Zeitgeist.. worth looking at the first part.
It is getting lighter here in MN folks…
Change comes too slowly for me not to get aggravated with…
NOW! NOW! NOW! NOW! NOW! NOW! I say… ok… I'm OK HEYOK…
Watching, waiting, and ready to act for a change to come, meanwhile day to day takes up the time and energy.
Keep focusing on the big perspective, which is all around me with examples… the garden looks dead AND will return in just a few months with green growth and flowers.
Blogs like these help to remind me where to focus… thanks for that!
Blessings, David
We are watching in the moment of now with you=o)!