Tending the Dark, Welcoming the Light
Free Online Gathering for Grief, Transition & Renewal
Thursday, December 18, 2025
8 PM CST / 9 PM EST / 6 PM PST / 7 PM MST
A gentle, inclusive space to pause, reflect, honour what has been hard, and welcome the returning light of the season.
Tending the Dark,
Welcoming the Light
Free Online Gathering
for Grief, Transition & Renewal
Thursday, December 18, 2025
8 PM CST / 9 PM EST / 6 PM PST / 7 PM MST
A gentle, inclusive space to pause, reflect, honour what has been hard,
& welcome the returning light of the season.
Winter invites us inward. For many, this season brings tender edges: grief in its many forms, difficult transitions, quiet heaviness, or a sense of being stretched thin.
This ceremony offers a soft place to land. Together, we will honour what you are carrying and make room for the small lights of hope and renewal that may be returning.
This gathering is secular and inclusive. You are welcome whether you come with sorrow, curiosity, reflection, or simply the desire to mark this moment in time.
Who this is for
This gathering is for anyone navigating:
Grief of any kind
Difficult or tender transitions
Seasonal heaviness or overwhelm
A desire for reflection, release, and renewal
A longing for gentle community in the dark season
While ceremony may be therapeutic, it is not a substitute for therapy.
What to expect
In this 75 to 90 minute ceremony, we will:
Honour what feels heavy or tender
Create a simple personal altar if you wish
Let music and poetry open a doorway into reflection
Pause for guided journaling and shared silence
Engage in a gentle release practice
Welcome small sparks of light for the season ahead
What to bring
To prepare, you may want to gather:
A candle or any gentle light you feel comfortable using
Photos, mementos, or symbolic objects to include in a small altar
Pen and paper for reflective writing
A warm drink and a quiet place to sit
No experience with ritual or ceremony is needed.
Your presence is enough.
A gentle invitation…
Sparks of Renewal
This ceremony is a free offering. In lieu of payment, if you feel called, you are invited to offer a small act of hope or renewal anytime between now and the Solstice. It could be a kind gesture, a moment of reflection, a memorial donation, or anything that feels meaningful to you.
There is no expectation. This invitation is simply a way to tend a little light together.
Join us as we tend the dark and welcome the light
Date: Thursday, December 18th
Time: 8 PM CST / 9 PM EST / 6 PM PST / 7 PM MST
Duration: 75-90 minutes
Where: Zoom (Live only, no replay)
Spread the light!
If you know a person or community who would benefit from this gentle, reflective gathering, please share this page with them!
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"I have been so taken by Karla’s demeanor, sensitivity to others and philosophy of life. She is someone whose integrity and passion for life is a part of her ‘way of being’ in the world. She is one of those rare people who appears as a teacher in one’s own life journey."
Dawn Guenther
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"Karla brings such respect, warmth, genuineness and sensitivity to the individuals concerned."
Isabelle McCrea
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"You do spiritual work in a way that anyone and everyone can connect with."
Shirley Dowie
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"The power of community was very evident…Sharing grief and being seen and accepted—nothing better. This group was the healing vessel that allowed my heart to open more.”
Patti Soltys
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"I am in total awe of the space Karla holds for the group."
Lindsay Katz
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"There was something very deep she tapped into for me, which was very unexpected. I could feel it in my soul."
Walayn Sharples
About your host
I’m Karla Combres. Over the past decade, I’ve guided hundreds of people to pause, reflect, and explore what matters most through workshops, one-on-one support, and custom ceremonies.
Much of my work centres on life’s transitions: the losses, changes, and tender moments that shape our experience. From grief and endings to hope, renewal, and new beginnings, I help people navigate these passages with intention, reflection, and care.
I’m offering Tending the Dark, Welcoming the Light from a desire to hold a gentle, inclusive space during the winter season. A place to pause, reflect, and honour what is heavy while welcoming the sparks of hope and renewal that quietly return, together.