Many cultures and religions have a major holiday that coincides with this time of the year. That is because it is the winter solstice, the annual celestial event around which our ancestors invented traditional superstitious practices to celebrate an end to the darkening of days and breaking through barriers between the physical and spiritual world.  

Contrary to a common notion, in Winter the days actually grow longer. The solstice marks the shortest day of the year and from here forth the hours of daylight increase day by day.

I  find breakthroughs in my artistic expression tend to occur in the dead of winter. This dynamic facilitates accessing other worlds, experiencing the allure of the unknown, discovering the parallels in cosmology and metaphysics, and interpreting the sublime in visual terms. 

This is the time of year to celebrate a return of the light. The darkest days are past.

I leave it to you to add any social or political corollaries.

Return of the Light is a new painting in my Otherworldly Landscape series. The original painting is 36×24 inches and available for purchase. Also available in a variety of print formats. Choose the size, media, and framing options to suit your needs. Shop here.