Winter Solstice grief bowl

Yesterday I burned my grief in the fire.

Current grief layered upon ancient griefs.

Grief from how we are disconnected from our original purpose—which is to live in deep, soulful connection, partnership, and harmonious existence with all of creation.

Grief from the violence my ancestors likely carried out towards others, as well as violence my ancestors likely endured. Grief and trauma that is passed down.

Grief at the unimaginable pain and suffering so many millions and billions of people are currently enduring at the hands of people wielding their power, resources, privilege, and/or complacency to uphold systems designed to oppress, dominate, exploit, destroy, and benefit only a few at the expense of most.

Grief from the false sense of separateness, ego, and poisonous individualism that we must be vigilant in recognizing, acknowledging, and daily opposing within ourselves because otherwise it leads us to abandon our fellow humans, the earth, our own humanity and our well being. All people, all living beings are all connected and dependent upon each other.

Yesterday I burned my grief in the fire. Yet it remains. As a message, a reminder to keep fighting to create a more just world.

Grief bowl ritual, adapted from @thegrief.witch on Instagram and the Stone Ritual from Francis Weller’s book The Wild Edge of Sorrow (page 163).