Meditation three,
The gathering of light.
Close your eyes and take three deep breaths,
Feeling your body settle into this sacred pause.
Imagine yourself standing at the threshold of the longest night.
Before you stretches a path lined with a small glowing row of lanterns,
Each one representing a lesson,
A moment of growth,
Or a whisper of wisdom you've gathered this year.
Walk slowly along this path.
As you pass each lantern,
Notice which lights call to you.
Perhaps one glows warmly with courage,
Another flickers with the lesson of letting go.
One shines steady with the strength you didn't know you had.
You don't need to carry all of these lights forward.
Choose the ones that feel essential,
The ones that warm you from within.
Gather them gently in your hands.
As you reach the end of the path,
See a comfortable space waiting,
Your inner sanctuary.
Place your chosen lights around you in a circle,
Sit in their glow.
This is your wisdom woven from the year's threads.
Breathe here,
Rest here.
You have gathered what you need.
And when you're ready,
Open your eyes,
Carrying this light within you.
