Embrace the Darkness: Finding Seeds of Renewal on the Winter Solstice
What shape waits in the seed of youto grow and spread its branchesagainst a future sky?—David Whyte
Happy Winter Solstice! Of course, the shortest day of the year also means the longest night. I used to get depressed this time of year because the sun sets so early and it’s cold and dark. But over the past few years, I’ve realized that these conditions make it the perfect time to dream…to germinate. The winter solstice offers us a unique opportunity to reset and reimagine our connection to the world around us. From the gratitude for all of the blessings and experiences that we’ve had, we can nurture a new seed of possibility.
Despite what you may see on the news or have been told, you have a unique gift as a human to bring more healing and wholeness to the world. In this new year, you can step more into your life-giving way of being in the world. And the most profound way to step into this potential? By forming partnerships with native plants.
Native plants are nature's alchemists—silent regenerators that breathe life into ecosystems with their mere existence. When you welcome these plants into your world—whether in a small balcony pot, a backyard garden, or a sprawling meadow—you become part of an intricate web of renewal. These plants support native insects, enrich soil microbiomes, and create habitats that sustain entire food webs, which support our lives.
But this partnership offers more than environmental healing. It's a path to personal restoration. Working with plants realigns us with earth's natural rhythms—the cycles of growth, harvest, rest, and rebirth. Working with native plants can improve our personal health and well-being. Spending time outdoors, feeling sunlight, and connecting with soil can trigger positive hormonal responses and strengthen our immune system. Don’t overlook these simple ways to feel more connected to the natural world and reduce the stress of modern life.
In a world that often feels fragmented, working with native plants remind us of our fundamental connection. Living into your potential as a life-giver is the antidote to modern anxiety, showing us that we belong to something larger, more beautiful, and infinitely more resilient than our individual experiences.
As we enter this dark, contemplative season, I encourage you to honor the seeds of hope within you. Remember that most seeds require darkness to germinate—just as our most profound transformations often begin in moments of quiet and stillness.
What will you plant this year? Not just in the soil, but in your life, your community, your heart?
The invitation is open. The seeds are waiting.