We are in a special time of the year. With the Solstice, we have entered a fortnight of days and nights where we can feel suspended between the old and the new. We are entering the period of dreaming, where we will be given the first obscure hints and clues as to what will unfold in the coming cycle.
I certainly am suspended. I feel curious and a little anxious to meet the unknown within me, for giving in to my dreams makes it hard to tell where I will end up. The invitation for the holy nights is to give space to dreaming with extended periods of consciously doing nothing. I caught the flu, so I am more or less forced into it, but whatever you do, make sure you create time and space for your mind to roam freely. Let your dreams take you into a state of pure potential.
You might encounter unexpected thoughts or ideas, which can feel cohesive but also disruptive to the current image you have of yourself. A newborn desire or image you encounter in a dream can completely alter the course of your life as you know it. And that can be both exhilarating and terrifying at the same time. It is challenging to avoid jumping to conclusions when you encounter such an image. It helps me to remember that the time for action will come. Let it rest, even if it feels uncomfortable or confusing.
Clarity will come, and a course of action will reveal itself in due time. Let your old and new dreams mingle and co-exist, even if they do not seem fully compatible or you have no clue how to integrate what you see. For now, enjoy the holy nights.
Published on by Sacha Post. This essay is part of the weekly letters. Explore more essays on winter in the archives.