the light gently returns
unravelling the push, solstice surrender + marinading in the unknown
I returned home after a market day in Stroud last night with the intention to wrap up words and hit send.
What swept in and engulfed this feeble thought was a call to just be super still and super quiet.
Body kicking back with a head cold and the darkness pawing at my heart, summoning me to her.
To marinade in her, drink it in deeply and just wait. Take time. Give space.
So below I return to where I started writing. In this upside down, not linear time. Where the forwards motion are determined by backwards reflection and digestion.
Not in a loud and brassy, neat and trim “SHARE YOUR YEAR HIGHLIGHTS” social media kind of a way, but in a marinading, deeply drinking it in, waiting, giving things time kind of a way…
Every time I have picked up my notebook and pen this last week, what has poured is a tirade or to do lists, things to think about, stuff that needs sorting (in the opinion of various parts of my mind) and a great big jumble of ALL OF THE THINGS. Everywhere.
Following a train of thought hasn’t been possible, let alone easy, and then the DING DING realisation struck: this is just it right now.
The culmination of the stewing of the belly of the dark beast that is deep winter. The profound floundering of the thinking mind trying to work out what on earth is occurring in this dark cavern at the end of the out breath of the year.
“Write about that”, I thought.
That it is a whole load of A LOT. And that that is just how it is and that’s ok.
It is deep deep winter.
The darkest, longest night is here, and we are skidding on our knees to the edge of the dance floor that has been 2022, hoping that Christmas and some top quality mince pies and Call The Midwife might catch us.
I return to walking the hill over the city. Clambering through Holly and Hawthorn to a peaceful spot. Hazy layers of hills and valleys ahead doused in low winter sun.
Here, with no effort, the marinading, deep drinking in of the short light and long night happens. No ceremony needed. I am no longer in control, merging with the mists, settling in the dampening dusk ground.
The Hill
Where are your spots and moments of slowing and pause in these deep winter days? Whether in the car, up a hill, in the garden, park, downstairs loo.
I wish for you a low effort, soft nod to all that sits here with you. Knowing you are too entwined in the Ivy green and strong on the woodland floor.
You may have clocked by now that this INKLINGS space isn’t just about NATURAL INK. colours and experiments. I have always been curious about how the inner landscapes entwine, relate and merge with that in the outer, material realms. This INKLINGS is a meeting place, a confluence of upwelling spring water and rushing rivers, that explore this merging.
INKLINGS - following hints, things uttered in undertones, a slight sense of something.
Some themes in writing will include:
Natural colour, naturally. Ongoing research and development of processes and curious findings.
Seasonal relating. How I/we relate to and anchor in relationship with the cycles in the inner and outer world. How this supports and guides creative process and practice.
I will sometimes talk about menstruation! (see above)
I will sometimes talk about death and grief (again, see above!)
Some humour maybe be base and purile (or down right hilarious - poo, bum and wee and after all three excellent words)
Process, process, process. In life, in making things/writing things/learning things. Unfurling process.
How i support the doing of the things and bringing to life the ideas… yep, I guess that process again. Tending the rituals of making work, and a creative life.
Running a small business.
Buddhism.
Falling over, literally and metaphorically.
Queerness.
There will at times be politics and social issues.
And all of the above always imbued with the heart wish to bring connection, care, curiosity and a warm welcome of YES TO THE MESS and OH HELLO TO THE WONDER of things. Sometimes this welcoming is easier than others. Sometimes it is the act of making, writing, sharing that IS this act of welcoming. In understanding more through the process and processing.
No doubt other things too.
Red Dock + Copper Pipe
I heartily welcome you along for the ride and wish that you find something helpful here.
If and when you wish to jump ship, you are welcome to unsubscribe with no hard feelings at all. Our attention and energy is our most precious resource and must be used as wisely as we can muster.
Until next week…
Deep winter well wishes.
K
~~~
A Good Thing
From the splendid Tom Hirons.
Apologies my hyperlinks are on the (hyper)blink. Do have a Google to find more of Tom and Giselle’s work.
this was a really insightful and inspiring read and felt like it came at exactly the right time. So thank you for this :)