Yesterday on the Winter Solstice 2012 (a.k.a. “end of the world day”), Vermont was filled with double rainbows. They were the most beautiful I’ve ever seen – and perhaps the auspiciousness of 12/21/12 made them even more shimmeringly beautiful. As I drove to Pyramid, I kept running out of the car into the pouring rain to take shots. I always joke to my friends that the way I’ll kick the bucket is by accidentally driving off a cliff in a convertible as I look at something beautiful in the sky. (Sounds like a great way to go, right? If this was the last picture I’d see, fine by me.)

As I continued chasing rainbows up the road, I thought back on my first summer here after moving from NYC. I biked home past a high meadow and thousands of fireflies danced around in twilight, flashing their little love queries. I could hardly bear the beauty of it and my city girl felt weird standing there. I hadn’t yet fully connected to the simplicity and quietness of Nature – which is so easy to pass by, ignore or think, “I’ll catch up with you on vacation.”

Once I arrived at Pyramid, the Solstice rainbow slowly faded behind heavy clouds that have lingered all week. I couldn’t wait to show everyone my photos — and indeed, rainbows were the big talk as adults became little kids as they recalled in great detail where and how they saw it.

Then in the afternoon, the rainbow appeared yet again; huge, present and vibrating with light as a friend and I drove back to Pyramid with yummy Indian lunch. The chakra colors were clearly defined – purple especially vibrant. We stopped so he could take a pic and I said, “I’m always amazed that more people aren’t pulled over.”

He replied, “Maybe only the pure of heart can see this.”

my friend’s pic…

I loved that idea – and was immediately transported into a real-life version of a children’s book – where unicorns and other magical creatures only appear to those who believe in them because truly, it seemed like the Divine was doing Her best to get our attention.

Rainbows, of course, are apropos for this time, and if I may borrow from my Christian childhood, represent God’s promise to Noah that the Earth will never be fully destroyed again.

And God said, “This is the sign of the covenant I am making between me and you and every living creature with you, a covenant for all generations to come: I have set my rainbow in the clouds, and it will be the sign of the covenant between me and the earth. Whenever I bring clouds over the earth and the rainbow appears in the clouds, I will remember my covenant between me and you and all living creatures of every kind. Never again will the waters become a flood to destroy all life. Whenever the rainbow appears in the clouds, I will see it and remember the everlasting covenant between God and all living creatures of every kind on the earth.”

Gen. 9: 12-16 (look at me, quoting Bible verses again…whodathunkit.)

{More rainbow symbolism – including the not-so-gentle versions.}

It may be uncool to admit, but many are stressed by the end of the world – and my readings with clients indicate that yes, there are many world-rocking ends. End of: marriages, friendships, illnesses and feeling imprisoned by life. End of: spiritual disillusionment, cynicism and denial of intuitive gifts. These are things that they have known for some time, but can no longer avoid the collision with the truth of today.

What has always helped when I’m shaken to my core is the healing that exists in Nature. Living in Vermont has taught me to offer my appreciation and gratitude for all of the jewels She freely gives. That doesn’t mean I have to go sit in the woods for 3 days. It’s really just being in a constant state of attentiveness to the signs all around — signs of gentleness and hope. Like rainbows.

And hey, maybe even a unicorn someday.