Winter Solstice

Carol-Dekle-Foss

I love this time of year. Clear nights. Crisp clean air. Bare branches silhouetted against a cloudy sky. For me, it's a time of reflection. Although some of us, myself included, find ourselves caught up in the whirlwind of holiday madness. We end up becoming depleted in more ways than one.

So I think it's important, especially for us creatives, to embrace the darker months by turning inward. It's a good time for stillness and reflection. It's an opportunity for us to recharge and prepare for the creative bursts we will have in spring. 

So for now, I am introspective and quiet. 

Every year I look forward to the winter solstice, the shortest day and longest night. I celebrate by watching the sunset with my family wrapped in a warm blanket and a hot toddy. 

My family and I will celebrate Christmas in a very simple way this year. Probably no tree, and that's ok. My son doesn't want a dying tree in the living room. I don't blame him. We will cut branches and pick up pine cones for display on the dinner table. Also, some of my sons military friends will join us. They are far from their families, so we will share a delicious home cooked feast, play the guitar and sing, and take a long walk along the river. 

I created this necklace today thinking about the return of light after the winter solstice. I made it as a reminder to embrace the darkness for soon there will be light.

How do you celebrate your holiday season? Do you have any special traditions or rituals that you and your family do every year?

 I hope everyone has a peaceful and love filled holiday!

like ripples in a pond

mary jane dodd

small metal pieces - 2014 mjd

we live in a troubled world

we live in a beautiful world

we live in a world where each one of us makes a difference. 

some people do it quietly

some people forcefully

but all do it courageously. 

find your way.

we notice the light most 

when it's dark.

we notice peace most

when there is chaos and unrest.

but each should be constant

however else the conditions might be. 

simple things can carry great impact. 

i try to hone my pieces so that messages 

are clearly stated

and the wearer will feel 'more' for having them.

i have this hope that my physical act of making marks in metal

sends the message out into the ether

like a chant in hammer strikes.

the new addition of scallops 

represents the way things can radiate - 

all those good things we can choose to put

out into the world. 

the shining sterling orbs

are physical representations 

of light and self realization.

peace, love, kindness, compassion, grace

coupled with accountability

abstract in nature,

but ever so real 

and ever so needed now. 

-----------------------------------

the recipients of the 2014 nobel peace prize were announced yesterday - 

one is the youngest ever. you can read about them and be inspired here. 

and might i share these words with you

they come from a young holocaust victim - etty hillesm

ultimately we have just one moral duty:

to reclaim large areas of peace in ourselves,

more and more peace,

and to reflect it towards others,

and the more peace there is in us,

the more peace there will be in our troubled world.

mary jane dodd

mjd - 2014

it is no mere coincidence that the moonflower blossoms at night.

it requires darkness

and the silvery light of the moon 

for the creamy white bloom to open. 

mjd - 2014

there are things that grow in the dark night of the soul

that, quite simply,

would never come to exist in any other way. 

these gifts only arrive in times of struggle and sorrow.

don't miss them because you are focused on the light at the end of the tunnel -

be in the tunnel - 

and find strength in knowing they are there along with you to be discovered.

-----------------------------------

but do you consider light?

mary jane dodd

sun tunnels, utah - nancy holt

we know that there are elements of design - color, texture, shape - & principles - balance, unity, scale - (to name a few)... 

but do you consider the light? 

in your work itself?

in your photography?

everything you work with has qualities of translucency or opacity - explore them... the strength and solidness of metals and clay, the delicacy of gems, glass and resin...  you can find the balance... 

designing from the gut is a wonderful thing - your hands dance across different bits and bobs... but being aware of your choices and thinking about what they mean adds a dimension of intentionality to your work

and this can take it to another level completely -