As I'm preparing to wrap up 2024 with two more epic nights of music and dance, I'm reminded of how this season brings a stark contrast between shadow and light…
I know like many, this time of year brings up a lot of trauma around the holidays.
For me growing up they were always an overly stressful event sprinkled with forced merriment, tears behind closed doors, shitty food, and presents I didn’t want.
Becoming a mother, I decided that instead of humbug-ing about it, I would create my own traditions that would pass down the true meaning of the season to our son… a season for honoring the earth and for giving thanks that we can comfortably withstand the winter with a warm home, warm food, and warm hearts.
In other words, I decided that I wasn’t going to pass down my shit to the next generation.
That was over 13 yrs ago. Now the pace of life has shifted and again I'm asked to reevaluate how I show up in this world — how I will be an example for the next generation of myself and others.
Now, my inner voice calls to the parts of me that have been left in the shadows for the sake of keeping on the lights.
"There are no shadows in darkness. Shadows are created by light, and only exist in the presence of light. Refusing to acknowledge our shadow leads us to deny the presence of light in us."
― Franco Santoro
With that said, I’ve come to value this time of year as it allows us space to sit with these inner shadows.
It’s a time that we can see the duality of the world so clearly – a time where are faced with the dichotomy of spirit and flesh.
And in this manifestation of our duality we discover that in the people around us, we often find the reflections of ourselves. The qualities we both admire and struggle with in others are mirrors of our own inner landscapes.
Perhaps you’ve heard the expression that you can only recognize in another that which you recognize within yourself.
I heard something once that I’ll never forget … “In every conversation is a direct communication with God”
Meaning that every interaction you have (be it with another person, animal, rock, or tree) serves as an opportunity to better understand yourself and your place in the universe.
So while the dark days of winter may signal death for many, they also remind us of new life that is always on the horizon.
Now in the spirit of the season, I believe we create our own rituals and traditions that connect us to the things that bring us peace and joy.
And in creating my own rituals, I love to surround myself with what brings me the most joy — music, dance, and deeper understanding...
To celebrate the closing of this year and welcome in the light of a new, I invite you to a special celebration with myself and Ecstatic Dance Pittsburgh...
On Saturday, December 28th from 7 - 10 p.m. at FUMC Pittsburgh, we’ll gather for an evening of Reflectionsthrough live music, meditation, dance, and an exciting back-to-back DJ set that will move us through the darkness and into the light.
I’ll be spinning a deep tribal set alongside Kevin Sekleki (aka DJ Disco Pope) of local Caribbean ensemble Timbeliza for a unique journey through sound filled with live percussion, voice, and powerful rhythms!
We’ll reflect through the language of music in an exchange that mirrors what we experience in our own lives — a celebration of connection, transformation, and the coming light.
So if you’re ready to connect more deeply with the season, come celebrate with us for an evening of dancing, sound, and healing as we let go of the year gone by and set our intentions for the one ahead.
And however you choose to participate in the season, I hope you take this month to look back on your year and bring light to the parts of you where it is needed most
