As winter nears, the quality of light is changing in Colorado. The days are shorter and the nights are beginning to cool. We may have snow this week which is an not an unusual first snow in the foothills of Denver.
Winter festivals celebrating the winter solstice often involve the use of fire and candles as explored in an upcoming post Festivals of Light. In sandtray scenes candles, lanterns, or lamps bring light to the scene. Sandplay therapist Kay Bradway explains, "The presence of light indicates an illumination, a greater consciousness...". As I review pictures of clients' trays, I am reminded of the scenes where light was used in the form of candles. The placing of lighted candles or the use of lanterns often indicated the need for or the demonstration of some form of enlightenment. After lighting candles, clients may have requested to dim the therapy room lights. In the half-dark, the sandtray took on an even more numinous and sacred feeling.