Hello again! It’s been a while since I’ve posted. Life has been busy, mostly in a beautiful way. I’ve still been writing incessantly, but my focus has been on poetry. If you would like to read my winter poem “The Frost” it’s getting published in January’s issue of Belladonna’s Garden Literary Magazine. I also have two poems, “12.18 Field Observations from Schmidt’s Woods” and “Squirrel Tracks” coming out in the next couple days, in Still Here’s mini-issue ‘A Light In December’.
Recently, I revisited my old blog posts and realized I was actually really happy with what I was doing here. With the Winter Solstice here I thought that it was time for me to return, like the sun.
The Winter Solstice, also known as Yule, takes place every year on December 21. It’s the shortest day of the year and a celebration of the sun returning. Every day from here until the Summer Solstice the days will get a little longer. It’s a celebration of the Sun, a rebirth, a new beginning. We are reminded of the light in the dark, in the everlasting nature of evergreens like pine and firs, and the cycle of life in the wreath.
This solstice was special. I woke up earlier than usual, before the sun had risen and walked outside with my husband and dog. We returned to bed and watched the sun rise. A beautiful morning. The funny thing is, I totally forgot it was the solstice until a couple hours later. I guess nature told me when I woke up early and greeted the sun, even though I didn’t realize it at the moment.
We spent time in a beautiful part of the woods right after breakfast. We bundled up in our hats, scarves, and gloves and walked through the forest. The snow had melted from a recent rain so there were streams trickling and small pools starting to freeze over again.
The sun was shining bright, a celebration. A lone holly tree stood tall and green. I found one of their leaves on the ground and pocketed it. Shortly after I found a star. Big and beautiful it laid on a pile of oak leaves. I placed my holly leaf in the center. Holly has a strong protective energy as with the star.
I found a bone in my path and laid at the base of a tree, thanking the animal for their beautiful life. We continued on to a pine alcove I laid on the ground and stared up at pine, half the trees were covered in leaves the other half were bare. We eventually hiked to an overlook enjoying the sun and trees. I found small little cup lichen, called pixie cups, tucked away in the moss.
When we returned home it was time to wrap gifts. I used dried oranges, string, star anise, and some of the pine leaves I had found in the woods. The night carried on and I crocheted some star ornaments as gifts and enjoyed a nourishing dinner.
Right before bed, I lit candles around my home. It’s been a longheld Irish tradition to light candles in the window to guide our ancestors and passed love ones on the darkest night. I also lit a golden candle on my altar. The gold represents the sun and prosperity, I lit it with intentions of a positive change and new beginning. Then I fell asleep thinking of the flame.
Happy Yule everyone, enjoy the time honoring the sun and connecting with friends and family.
This Magical Life 