In the Winter Fog: How Pilgrimage Helps to Find Clarity
Pilgrimage in winter demands effort both inward and outward, yet rewards with a unique atmosphere and the chance for rediscovery.
Dear Pilgrims,
A foggy winter’s day. The light is subdued, the world feels still and mysterious. The horizon fades into the grey, and it seems as though the landscape is hiding its secrets. This was the atmosphere of our last pilgrimage – a step into the unknown, into the mystical beauty of a fog-covered Berlin and Brandenburg. But fog also has an inner dimension. It symbolises those phases in our lives when we’ve lost our way, when our goals and desires appear blurred.
Pilgrimage can help to lift this fog. It’s an invitation to explore our own uncertainty, to confront life’s hidden questions, and, step by step, to gain greater clarity.
Fog as a Metaphor for Uncertainty and Seeking
During our walk along Lake Müggelsee, one participant shared an observation: the lake, veiled in dense fog, looked like an endless sea. Boundaries dissolved, leaving no clear sense of where the water ended, or the horizon began. This is often how our thoughts and emotions feel – blurred, without clear contours.
Fog makes things disappear that we ought to see and can obscure uncertainties or unresolved problems. But it also teaches us patience. Fog doesn’t clear on command; we must wait for clarity to emerge in its own time.
Pilgrimage as a Path to Clarity
Pilgrimage at this time of year – in the cold, wet, and fog – requires effort. Many participants on our last walk were hesitant that day, unsure whether to set out. The warmth of bed and the comfort of home seemed more tempting than hours of walking in frosty air. Yet those who overcame their doubts were rewarded: with a unique atmosphere that only winter fog can provide, and with the opportunity to connect more deeply with themselves.
A pilgrimage isn’t just about covering distances. It’s a journey inward. The rhythm of footsteps, the stillness of nature, and the conversations – whether with others or yourself – create space to meet your own thoughts. In the act of walking, we can begin to truly see ourselves.
Reflecting on Intention
The fog of our thoughts often conceals our true intentions, desires, and goals. A pilgrimage offers us the time and space to uncover these. During our walk, I gave the participants a simple prompt: What is your motivation for being here today? It could be the desire for peace, answers to a life question, or simply a wish to feel at ease with oneself.
Reflecting on why we set out is a crucial step. We may not always have a clear answer. But through walking, through consciously experiencing the moment, things can gradually become clearer – like fog lifting slowly.
The Courage to Face the Fog
One of the most valuable lessons of pilgrimage is overcoming inner resistance. While the fog and cold on our walk were external challenges, the greater barriers are often internal – fear, uncertainty, or the comfort of sticking to familiar patterns.
Taking the first step out the door is the hardest part, but it begins a journey that can transform us. Pilgrimage offers the opportunity to break free from these inner obstacles and discover new strength.
Like a forest in the fog, which feels like a scene from a fairytale, pilgrimage can lead us into another world – one where we rediscover ourselves. We may not return with all the answers. But we come back with more clarity and peace. And that is what truly matters.
Buen Camino
Alexander