71 Comments
Jan 18Liked by Dr Sharon Blackie

Hi Sharon, thanks for the post about "Living meaningfully in the year ahead". It's easy to get caught up in unimportant distractions.

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Dec 30, 2023Liked by Dr Sharon Blackie

I believe you were on the radio recently, Sharon. I'm a keen BBC Radio 4, and Radio 4 Extra, listener and my ears perked up when I heard your name mentioned. The conversation centred around your subject so I must assume it was you. 🌟

I hope you're enjoying your break and, being cancer-free for four years myself (with fingers crossed), I think it's an excellent idea to hibernate for a good while when it suits you. Cheers to you for 2024, and to lots more days and nights to celebrate life!

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author

Thanks, Yasmin - that was me indeed! And fingers crossed all round, always.

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Oh dear! I just gave myself the gift of a subscription and then read this. Wrong way around!! Oh well. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

Something in me is pouring out coins at the moment. I wonder what it is. At least I can direct them towards things I enjoy. This space is one of them. Maybe I’ll look for a course to do...

Happy turn of the year & return of the light 🕯️

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Thanks for your quick reply.

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I’m interested in subscribing, but your page says the offer ends Dec 31, 2022. Is that a carryover from last year. Or is it available through 2023?

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author

Hi Barbara, It was just a typo, now corrected, in an article dated last Saturday. So yes, it's available till the end of December.

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Dec 6, 2023Liked by Dr Sharon Blackie

Oh I love this! In looking to the New Year, I intend on shifting into a digital and dopamine detox. I love the approach and inspiration offered here. Why not drop all that at winter solstice - honor this change as naturally as possible. Looking at it all differently now. Thanks, Sharon!

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Enjoy!

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"Nothing is new, but at the same time, everything is new."....I have been feeling a spiraling in my life this Autumn and I am looking forward to how this turn shapes and shifts differently than the past.

Weathering sounds fantastic!!! And I'm glad to see there will be an audiobook.

Beautiful reflections Sharon.

thank you!!!

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author

You’re welcome and thank you, as always.

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Dec 4, 2023Liked by Dr Sharon Blackie

Thank you for your words: graceful, wistful - of these days, of meaning, and beyond. Here, on this little island of Guernsey, the winds are strong, whipping ocean surf as its dark song. Grateful to be alive. Blessings of the Solstice, and all Time 🙏🏽

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Thank you.

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Dec 4, 2023Liked by Dr Sharon Blackie

Thank you so much Sharon, for the generosity of your heartfelt offerings this past year.

I wish you a time of peaceful, reflective deepening as winter magic unfurls and unfolds around your beautiful stone house and surrounding hills.

Winter Solstice arrives at 7.27pm in the Pacific Northwest where I am now rooted. I will also be lighting a candle in the darkness and thinking, somewhat wistfully, of my Cornish roots.

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Thank you, Carol, and it's lovely to think of all those candles spring into life.

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Dec 4, 2023Liked by Dr Sharon Blackie

Thank you Sharon for a lovely winter discussion. As a faithful follower of the wheel of the year I too have celebrated the Winter Solstice for many years. Lighting a candle in the dark, watching the first rays of gold spill through a frozen wood are pure earth magic and very sacred. It's so lovely that many are returning to the old ways and honouring this time of hope. And indeed to mark it with a time of retreat is such an antidote to the unnecessary materialism that has sadly grown around the Christian myth. I will light a candle with you - and it seems with many of our sisters! I loved the wraith like image of Pendragon in a wintry setting. Made me think of your owls- the white faced barn owls roosting in the icy keep and drifting out like ghosts in the night. 'The owl for all his feathers was a-cold' - in these dark days I immerse myself in the magic of poetry; the Eve of St Agnes and Coleridge's 'Christabel ' are favourites! Winter offers such a rich and fruitful seam to the imagination. Sending you many blessings of the season by your comforting and inspiring fire.

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Thank you, Vanessa, and I wish you the healing joys of the winter woods too.

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The Solstice has special meaning to me, too. I married my husband on the solstice of the pandemic. We had been together a dozen years but found ourselves in a state that didnt observe domestic partnerships--or Covid protocols. A beautiful ceremony--six people in my girlfriend’s garden. I chose it because of the deep despair in my heart for a world that seemed to be spiraling into darkness -- and because the morning after our anniversary, the days would always be getting longer...

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What a lovely reason for marrying on the solstice.

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What a beautiful description of the magic of winter solstice! It’s not cold in India, where I live, but the mornings have gotten darker and I am grateful for the reminder to notice the light returning! Enjoy your rest!

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Thank you.

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may your rest be deep and nourishing. looking forward to january's wise words.

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Yours too, Ann.

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I very much enjoyed your video previewing your new deck. Not only was your take on the suits and archetypes interesting (especially your insights about the Selkie card), I always think what a lovely voice you have. I shall join you in lighting a candle at 9:27 pm local time. x

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Thank you!

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Enjoy your much deserved rest. I also prefer to focus on the winter solstice rather than Xmas and all the pressures that entails. The poem is wonderful, thank you for sharing. Let's enjoy a cosy hibernation. As crones we've surely earned it.

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I'm thinking we have ...

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Dec 3, 2023Liked by Dr Sharon Blackie

Thank you! for this timely post, Sharon... Much enjoy the over-wintering in your creative chrysalis...

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Thank you. The snow gave a good way in.

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