JILL.DESIGN

Of fire and small visual rituals.

Today is a new moon and tomorrow December 21 is winter solstice (16:03 CET / 7:03 PST). What a special moment.

After a flurry of social activity in recent weeks — including the absolutely amazing GR Photowalk Zürich [YouTube] I hosted on December 6 — I am savoring the quiet and darkness. While I love parties and people and public speaking, I am deeply introverted and enjoying the recharge. And, as an Aries, all the fire of the season.

This is my 2nd winter in Switzerland, and the Swiss do fire and warmth and light right — from real candles on trees (which I’m doing for the first time!) to glühwein to saunas and open fire bowls at Christmas markets. I live near the Höngg forest on the edges of Zürich, and last week my wife and I joined neighbors on walk with fire torches (!) into the forest to a bonfire with singing, stories, and roasting things on the longest tree-branch-kebabs you’ve ever seen. Pure magic and humanity.

Here are some of those recent joys with a simple voiced-over winter solstice wish for you:

Around the world, it is a time for gathering, lights, and respite from the everyday — whether those traditions are Yule, Yalda, Dongzhi, Saturnalia, or Tōji. It is a time for celebration and reflection.

For solstice, I made myself a small, quiet personal ritual — a one-hour photographic “microsabbatical” for looking, stillness, and closing the year gently. (I’ll share it with you in my subscriber chat.)

I encourage you to explore making a small visual ritual this weekend that is meaningful to you. Or to just take a moment to think about what photographs you’ve taken this year that are most meaningful to you.

I wish you a peaceful and artful solstice and new year. ☼