The Nudge │Dispatch 9

“This is the solstice, the still point of the sun, its cusp and midnight, the year’s threshold and unlocking, where the past lets go of and becomes the future; the place of caught breath”

 — MARGARET ATWOOD

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 Welcome to The Nudge | Winter Solstice 2022
This seasonal care package has been prepared by the team at The Trailblazery. 
 

Dear Friends,

We are delighted to prepare The Nudge, our final care package of the year for you as we approach Winter Solstice on December 21 - the day with the shortest number of daylight hours.

At this time, the light is decreasing and the life force (‘neart’) is being drawn deeper into the earth. The dominant movement is that of sinking, letting go and surrendering to the void and abyss that is mid-December in the northern hemisphere. We are deep in the cauldron which is a central metaphor of transformation in Celtic mythology.

The word Solstice means “sun stands still” (Grianstad an Gheimhridh) and represents a time of darkness and stillness and yet, paradoxically is also a time of great fecundity. The mode of being that is required right now is to rest, with an openness to growth that is slow and unforced. This is also known as ‘the dream time’, where the seeds of new life, new ideas and new projects are nurtured. We are still being invited to stay slow, to not go into any action and to actively listen for what wants to emerge through us

On the Solstice, the darkness of Winter yields to a point of turning and marks the beginning of the second part of the winter season, where we make the slow journey back out from the depths of darkness and winter months, towards Imbolc, spring and new life.

This season is a potent teacher of the cycle of life, death and rebirth. In Ireland,  great monuments which were built to acknowledge this time like the ancient Neolithic passage tomb at Newgrange, where the 5000 year-old dark empty chamber is penetrated by the light from the rising sun on the morning of the Winter Solstice. This is a time when a new light is born out of the womb of winter.

Journal Prompts to inspire you at Winter Solstice

 
❄️ What did I release at Samhain?

❄️ How challenging is it for me to practice pausing, hibernating, resting more and 
      embracing the darkness?

❄️ What is my relationship to the darkness?

❄️ What does the return of the light mean for me?

❄️ What might emerge from the darkness?

❄️ What is ready to be born?

❄️ How can I become the seed of my own rebirth?

❄️ What aspect of my life needs regeneration?
 

We are delighted to offer you a special Listening Gift to support you in this dreamtime. Enjoy this Suantraí (Lullaby), with Kathy leading a restorative journey and music from Siobhán Moore and Aisling Urwin of Woven Kin. This session was recorded during one of our Moon Medicine circles in 2021. Morning Song is from their debut album ‘Hibernate’.

One of the most exciting things that happened this year was that our very own Scoil Scairte was awarded the 2022 European Language Label, a European Award that highlights new techniques and initiatives in the field of language learning and teaching. Tá sceitimíní áthais orainn - We are overjoyed!

Another special moment was our live Hedge School / Scoil Scairte experience at the Consulate General of Ireland in New York in November. This was a gathering of cultural exploration, conversation and kinship hosted by Kathy Scott with Manchán Magan and Irish contemporary vocalist Ceara Conway. It was a pleasure to meet some of our tuatha in person at last,⁠ míle buíochas do gach éinne a bhí i láthair.⁠

 

What’s coming up over the next
6 weeks at The Trailblazery:

As the Great Wheel turns yet again,  we are invited to pause and remember what we have traveled through together. We are excited to let you know what we have coming up for you over the next 6 weeks here at The Trailblazery:

TONIGHT, Sunday Dec 18 

The Sunday Service presents: 
“Grianstad an Gheimhridh”,
 
with Imelda May and Áine Tyrrell 

5-6.30pm GMT / 12-1.30pm EST
 
Raising much needed funds for Irish women at SiSi

Tonight, we are gathering close to the Winter Solstice (“Grianstad an Gheimhridh”)  at this darkest part of the year to join forces with Irish Queens (Banríona) Imelda May and Áine Tyrrell to raise much needed funds for Sisi, - a service that supports women survivors of intimate abuse in Ireland
 
Join us at 5pm GMT (12pm EST/9am PST), where you will receive the gift of a deeply restorative and inspiring experience, including a guided Winter Solstice journey with Kathy Scott {Moon Medicine Founder}, with conversation, poetry and music from two of our very favourite Irish women - Imelda May {singer, songwriter, poet and multi-instrumentalist} and Áine Tyrell {singer, songwriter and troubadour}.
 
The Winter Solstice marks the still point of the sun before the turning point when the light returns. We will gather together in support and solidarity for our sisters in Ireland who have experienced intimate abuse in their lives.
 
100% of the proceeds raised from tonight’s special online gathering will go to support the work of SiSi. 
 
To donate and receive your Zoom link, visit here.

Scoil Scairte 2023 

We’re hoping to run future spirals of Scoil Scairte for you in 2023. If you feel the pull to join this exciting learning community that weaves Irish culture, heritage, and language, you can join the waitlist here to be the first to know when we launch our next spiral.

Need a Christmas gift idea? Why not buy someone a gift certificate for The Trailblazery? You can choose the amount and the certificate can be redeemed in 2023 in exchange for any of our events or courses. Visit our website here for more info.

 Recommended Resources

Here are a few reading, watching and listening pieces to nourish your senses in the days ahead:
 
♪ Listen: For your ears 

Sufjan Stevens - Songs for Christmas is a box set of Christmas-related songs and carols recorded by independent musician Sufjan Stevens between 2001 and 2006. We love it.

✦ Smell & Taste: For your nose & lips 

Cacao, peppermint, cinnamon and orange work are wonderful flavours at this time of the year. We love this hot chocolate recipe using cacao powder.

✯ Watch: For your eyes

Hosted by Imelda May and filmed at the iconic Pepper Canister Church in the heart of Georgian Dublin, ‘Christmas In Ireland with Imelda May and Friends’ features music and literary performances, from well-known and up-and-coming artists. Christmas Eve 9.30pm, Sky Arts. It promises to be a most beautiful evening of songs, stories, spoken words capturing very special moments featuring: featuring musicians Glen Hansard, Jack Lukeman, Loah, Hawke The Band and more. Sharon Corr is slated to recite Patrick Kavanagh’s 'A Christmas Childhood' while The Dubliners legend, John Sheahan, performs a self-penned poem that captures the magic of Christmas at home. Viewers will also be treated to a very special rendition of the iconic Marino Waltz that sees John joined onstage by his daughter Ceoladh, Séamus and Caoimhe Uí Fhlatharta and Cormac de Barra. All in aid of Simon Community.

 ❤ Read: For your heart

Wintering: The Power of Rest and Retreat in Difficult Times by Katherine May is a moving personal narrative shot through with lessons from literature, mythology, and the natural world, May's story offers instruction on the transformative power of rest and retreat.


✬ Connect: For your Soul 

Make some herbal smudge bundles using Winter Solstice plants and herbs like Rosemary, Chamomile, Holly, Juniper, Mistletoe and Pine. You could add some drops of your favourite Yuletide oils, like Frankincense or Myrrh. Check out a guide here.

Enjoy these days - may the dreamtime be yours.

Thank you for walking this path with us.


Beir Bua,

Kathy and all at The Trailblazery