Seasons Greetings to you all on this Hibernal Solstice,
For over 5000 years, one of the most fascinating light shows on the planet takes place on a hill in the Boyne Valley, County Meath. Although Newgrange was designed and constructed to be illuminated by sunlight, it is the weather and not the gallant work of humans that decides if the light show takes place at all.
And yet, as our climate crisis worsens and despite Newgrange having reminded us over 5000 times of the astounding power weather and climate has on our existence here on this island, our ability to take effective and authentic steps towards change is so painfully slow. It is indeed, as George Marshall reminds us, a ‘wicked problem’. Although denial, avoidance and emotional turmoil are part and parcel of the human experience, many of us here at the eeai believe that the more harmonised, attuned and synchronised we become with nature – the better, for both us and the planet.
This association attempts to ensure that nature is not forgotten, nor taken for granted particularly in the delivery of counselling, psychotherapeutic and psychological services here in Ireland. This winter, as the darkness abounds, not alone do we wish you warm and peaceful rest after your busy year, we also wish you synchronicity with the season and the continued courage and awareness to accept your vulnerable humanity in a magnificent, vast, yet often frightening universe.
And remember, despite our weather and climate and all we have done to upset it, despite the grey clouds and sheets of rain and sleet, sometimes, just sometimes on the solstice, a spectacular shaft of magical winter sunlight makes its way into the chamber at Newgrange.
From all of us here at the eeai, we wish you and yours happiness and joy this season. Here’s hoping that you get to experience some rays of this precious winter sunlight, sunlight that has traveled 93 million miles and may be felt by you right here, right now.
Warmest winter wishes on behalf of all of the eeai interim committee,
David Staunton
eeai | Interim Chair