Wintering

Wintering.

I had not heard this expression before.

My friend Marie Noelle brought it to my attention recently. It is the title of Book by Katherine May.

Wintering is a term that described a period of time where we as individuals feel the need to shut down, go into exile, avoid people, embrace total silence, stillness, seeking inwards to find answers to deep probing questions.

Wintering is another term which mirrors the dark night of the soul.

The Wintering period often follows some existential crisis, like losing my Mother. My post experience after mums Funeral has left me profoundly empty with my life devoid of meaning and purpose.

My mental health has taken a massive hit.

The only two things in my life right now that keep me relatively steady are my Camera & Deck of Cards.

This period in my life has been hugely confronting. It has left me questioning myself, my choices.

This feeling of uncertainty and feeling deeply inadequate has haunted me all my life.

The images I have created recently have been driven by this space of emptiness.

Nature.

A wonderful reminder that Winter is part of the season of transformation. A reminder to keep warm, sleep well, eat well, in essence, look after myself; body, mind, heart and spirit.

The Dark Night of The Soul is not a place to be afraid. I have welcomed it; by avoiding people, embracing alone time, being a witness to my thoughts and guardian of my feelings, I am slowly coming to terms with this long path known as The Warrior’s Journey.

The journey of the Lone Warrior is uniquely mine; only I can walk this. I am already on this path. I have already encountered areas of myself yearning for love and development. I am a wounded child, I am the architect of my healing - my deep rooted fear is plain for me to see now.

I have found solace during this Wintering period. During one of my performances, a lady gave me hug at the end of my show.

Why would a complete stranger do this?

I put this moment down to the power of magic to touch people’s hearts, to inspire Astonishment and HOPE.

Hope.

Hope is seriously needed right now.

Nature reminds me to keep my Humanity and Hope alive.

Wintering is a very nurturing time and space to find oneself in.

It doesn’t feel like it at the beginning.

In time, it becomes a place that feels very safe and welcoming.

Thanks for reading.🙏🏽