“Do not fear the night,
Instead, summon the wolf inside you
and welcome the darkness
like it is home.”
Since the turn of the new year, I’ve found myself walking through the woods at dusk … called to the woods to witness the transition of the day yielding to the dark of the night. Walking through this daily transition brings home the importance of honoring the rhythm of the seasons… to retreat into the darkness of the winter.
This January has been like no other that I have experienced living on the prairie… there has been more snow than winter’s past, less ice, and no brutal temps as of yet. The light has been exquisite and the shadows cast by the trees during the day as well as the moonlight has been something to behold. Ironically, in these dark days of winter, the light has been magnificent.
Sunset along the river bank…
As I returned from the woods last night, the moon began to rise in the east while the sun set in the west. The owl awakened and began his nightly call. Each evening at exactly the same time, not by the clock yet by the amount of lingering daylight, he appears making his presence known in the old, oak forest. There was something so magical about this specific walk… I wanted to stop and howl at the moon. Perhaps that’s why it’s called the wolf moon.
I’m intrigued by the names of each of the moons. And while I’ve found many resources attributing the naming of the moons to the native people of North America, I’m still searching for an explanation for “why the wolf moon?” I’m fascinated that the wolf symbolizes guardianship, ritual, loyalty, spirit and is known for needing to trust their instincts. It is said that they teach us to do the same… to trust our hearts and minds.
And so here we are in the dark days of winter honoring the wolf moon… learning to trust our hearts and minds.
Twilight with an almost full moon rising…
At the end of Project Peace 2020, I mentioned I’d write a post on each full moon in 2021 and possibly more. I knew that in 2021, I wanted to focus on the ebb and flow, the wax and wane, the up and down of the lunar cycle…. to be less focused on the calendar. I’ve certainly found myself more drawn to the night sky as a result. The full moon is associated with a time of culmination and fruition.
So, what have I been up to since the “cold moon?”
I’ll share a few things that might be of interest.
I finished knitting a bulky weight version of the Project Peace 2020 “peace in place” shawl, made the pattern modifications, sent the edits to the tech-editor, and convinced my lovely 17 year old to assist with the photos. If you’ve already purchased the pattern via Ravelry you’ll get an update once I’ve uploaded the pattern. If you purchased via the Healthy Knitter website, I’ll be sending you a copy via email.
I’m really taken with how this one turned out… it truly is a knitted hug. Don’t tell my mum but it’s headed her way!
In 2019, I read a lot… probably more than I’ve ever read in my life. Unfortunately, I only read a few very many books in 2020. I missed the reading, the escape, the journey that a book offers. I loved how there was some excitement over books during Project Peace so I thought it would be a nice addition to share what I’m reading…
You know I loved The Salt Path… and now I’m reading Raynor Winn’s second memoir, The Wild Silence. I haven’t finished yet and I must admit it was harder to get into this one as it deals with loss and grief. I’ve shed some tears and persevered and I’m so glad I did. A friend told me “you must read this book as I think you’ll really connect with the message.” She’s right. I highly recommend. Here’s my favorite paragraph:
“I’d always known what the voice in my head was saying. It was the land, the earth, the deep humming background to my very being. I ran to it when all else fell apart. I needed the safety of being one with the land; the core of me needed that sense of complete belonging as fundamentally as the air I breathed. Without it I would never be whole. It was always the land.”
The Wild Silence, p. 70
Frozen prairie… from a car window
Lastly, during the waning phase I travelled to Bozeman, MT to see family and visit with my dear friend, Sharyn from the Yarn Scout. I’ve collaborated with Sharyn the past few years pertaining to Project Peace. Many of you know that Sharyn was diagnosed almost a year ago with cancer and she’s decided it’s time to close her shop. On December 29, she began a sale to reduce the inventory. I just checked and there are still a few Project Peace 2020 kits remaining. If you do end up purchasing yarn from Sharyn, please send her a note. I know she’d appreciate it.
Oh gosh… there’s one more thing to share. I wanted you to know that as a result of Project Peace 2020, we were able to donate $1000 to two different organizations. Gardens for Health in Rwanda and Sisters United in Great Falls, MT. Thank you for purchasing a Project Peace pattern; a portion of your pattern purchase was used to support these organizations that are striving to create a peaceful and just world.
deep winter…
As we enter the waning phase, a time for letting go, may you all find some peace in your days. As we look up to the full moon, may we remember that we are all connected in some way.
peace,
Christina