Enchanted Journeys: Mother Night & Midwinter

The Yule festivals were very important to the northern European cultures, recipients of some of the darkest and harshest winters. For the Anglo-Saxons, this was the time around midwinter, the longest night and yule was called Modranacht; Mother Night, a chance perhaps to connect to female ancestors and acknowledge the primeval darkness that will bear the new year. You may wish to use this simple meditation to prepare for ritual or find a peaceful moment for journalling or spellwork.

Transcript

Welcome to this midwinter,

The longest night,

Winter solstice,

And to our Anglo-Saxon ancestors,

This is Modranak,

The Mother Night.

A chance perhaps to connect to female ancestors and acknowledge the primal darkness that will bear the new year.

Here in this simple and quiet meditation,

I offer a chance to allow yourself to be wrapped in the arms of Mother Night.

To find a little quiet,

A little sanctuary in this,

The darkest and longest of nights.

Comfited in the knowledge that each day after this one will grow a little lighter,

Or draw a little longer from the energy of the sun.

Here on Mother Night we are all children of the dark,

The cold,

The quiet.

Perhaps it is a chance to take a sacred pause.

And as I invite you to close your eyes and find a place that is warm and calm,

I will leave you for a few gentle minutes to find your own place of quiet.

But I will return to find you here.

Allowing our limbs,

Our muscles,

Our body to settle heavy,

Restful upon the air.

Calm of breath and calm of mind as we take some peaceful minutes in the dark.

Allowing our limbs to settle heavy,

Restful upon the air.

Allowing our limbs to settle heavy,

Restful upon the air.

Allowing our limbs to settle heavy,

Restful upon the air.

Let us take a deep breath.

Perhaps move the body.

If you are peaceful where you are then by all means stay in restfulness.

If you would like to gently rise to easeful seat.

We'll take a moment just to sit within this space quiet and calm.

If you are using this meditation as the beginning of a ritual or to prompt your journal practice,

Feel free to take as long as you need to feel the energy of the Mother Night within you.

So that you may draw forth and light your candles or write any words or intentions for the coming days.

As always I am filled with love and gratitude for you joining me on this journey today.

I wish you a warm,

Safe and merry midwinter and Mother Night.

Thank you and namaste.

Thank you.

Reviews

Such a lovely meditation. I love night time. I’m a night owl by nature. I love a good meditation focused on night time, especially winter solstice. Thank you so much for this meditation.

Just what I needed today on this glorious solstice evening 🙏

Such a beautiful one! I read this one to my students last week in chair yoga from your lovely book. Thank you so much for your inspiration. ✨🌟✨

Learnt so much from your offerring, Sarah, thank you so much, it was beautiful🌬🤍🙏🕯✨️🌲🧡🕊🌌🎑

Her work is magnificent

I love her voice. When she speaks it feels as if you were a part of the stories told.