“In the Winter all of the Singing is in the Tops of Trees” excerpt from White Eyes, Mary Oliver.

On the day before the Winter Solstice, we will explore themes of transience, beauty, the interplay of light and shadow and the cyclical nature of life. We will create space to notice whatever is arising for you in the moment, to take time to be present for yourself and your feelings, to turn towards them rather than away. Peace, steadiness, perseverance, or strength may be waiting right there, beneath all that feels to be just the opposite. This exploration will take place at Habitat, a Massachusetts Audubon Wildlife Sanctuary in Belmont, MA. We will gather in the Visitor Center where we will have the use of indoor space should the weather be inclement. From there we will explore the sanctuary grounds through a combination of walk and mindful practices. On one of the shortest days of the year, we will explore darkness through the poetry of Wendell Berry and Mary Oliver. The name of the walk is borrowed from Mary Oliver's poem, "White Eyes". And from Wendell Berry:

To Know the Dark

"To go in the dark with a light is to know light.

To know dark, go dark. Go without sight,

and find that the dark, too blooms and sings,

and is traveled by dark feet and dark wings."

*If there is significant snow or ice, please wear heavier boots with some sort of traction. There is a small fee to cover venue rental and admission to the Audubon Sanctuary.