Taika

Stars are magic, or taika in Finnish.

There are many meanings of a star, but I think the one that I like best is as a beacon of hope, or a guiding light. Mariners look to the North Star. A star is something to aim for and to follow. A symbol of peace and harmony.

White paper stars are an integral part of Scandinavian Christmas traditions, often displayed in windows to bring good luck. I’ve always thought these stars were so simple and lovely. When illuminated, the warmth of the white light is comforting even on the darkest nights, or in the darkest times in our history.

As storyteller and musician Leonard Cohen said:

In the broken places, the light shines through.

There is light and magic all around us — in the stars above, in the everyday wonders of nature, in the kindness of the human spirit, and in the larger cosmic universe. Maybe we need to open our eyes to more of it and reflect that light into our world. After all, magic needs a source.

🌟 🪄 🌟