I played around today photographing my Christmas lantern collection before packing them up. Which I can’t do just yet, they are too nice. I’ll keep them glowing till the new year. Lanterns bring such joy and peace. They make me feel truly happy and even on the rainy Melbourne Christmas and Boxing day they keep the day warm and glowing.

I wasn’t thinking of them explicitly as a collection, but they work so well. Perhaps I should make a solstice collection for the winter, and a summer one. I believe it is so important to celebrate all our holidays, whatever the religion, but especially to acknowledge the turning of the seasons, from light to dark then light again. This to me is way more important than any religious holiday.

Alongside these, I am starting to explore other lantern making ideas. A community project. An installation. A set design. Poetry on lanterns. Stories which bring light to the world.

And a map collection. So far I have made one. Do you know where it is? I am thinking these can be customisable, with a vintage map of your country.

And then there’s these ones. More nature ideas.

I guess I am a bit addicted to lanterns right now. They shine the way into the new year for me.

As I enter the new year, I will keep asking myself, what lights up my world? And I will follow it. One step at a time. And see where it will lead me. Let the light show the way. However scary the path sometimes, however much courage I need, I will follow that light!

Speak in the new year.