201221 A Candle for Sun-return

 dec. 21 the winter solstice

a candle for sun-return 

The oldest human ritual, the prayer for sun-return, is today. The sun at its most southerly position, and the shortest day of the year, mark the beginning of winter, and the beginning; for which we light a candle, burn the fire bright, and bring evergreen boughs into our homes; of the sun's slow return to the land, and the rebirth of the year. Light and fire represent both our faith in the promise of spring and the hope of sun-return, and the hope of warmth to see us through the cold and dark. 

The dawn today

The circle of the sun, the phases of the moon, the awakening of spring, the harvest, and the gathering of fuel for winter's coming again: these are in our bones, these patterns. For generations and generations people have depended on the natural world for shelter, food and clothing; how could those dances not be our dances, their breath and life our breath and life? The sun, the sun from whence comes all of life: may it rise in the morning again and depart the sky a little later, leaving a moment's more light each day. And may we small humans keep warm and fed until the winter's sleep and death become awakening and rebirth, when the snow melts at last.

Some of our Christmas traditions stem from this prehistoric ritual. Christmas trees, lights, the green and red of holly leaves and berries, all are borrowed from the Solstice rites that have been practiced since humans began counting the days. Hanukkah expresses the magic of the solstice with the miracle of the holy light that burned faithfully for eight days as if to see the people through the darkest time. Every people, every country must express awareness of this season, of all seasons, whether through ancient or fresh rituals, with lights and songs and dancing. 

Light a candle, then, for hope of the sun's return, and look at the sky. This is a blessing year with the "great conjunction" of Jupiter and Saturn just after sunset tonight. What did those early humans think of the dance of two stars in the sky? Even though we know (according to the knowledge of modern science, at least!) what it is we are seeing, it is not less wonderful, heavy with portents. 

*****

Today is a good day for writing. A journal is perhaps most useful at the solstices and equinoxes, birthdays and anniversaries: times when one is more likely to pause and reflect on one's life, the past season, or the past year. So, write: about things that went well and things that didn't, people you met, or connected with, your family and your health, anything at all that comes to mind. It's the process as much as the product, the slowing of the mind and the physical connection of pen in hand, the blank page. Ask a question, merely. 

*****

Since we arrived here it has often been warm enough on the porch to sit outside and look across the valley. It is a Quebec thing, but one sees it across the country and around the world, to have a porch or veranda all along two sides of the house, sometimes three, covered by the roof's eaves. It is such a living space as I didn't imagine before visiting Rain and Tal's farm, and then living here. Even in the winter it is available for work and socializing, or for sitting and thinking. It is very mild today and only a little snow fell yesterday. The stream along the west tree-line is coldly gurgling. 

Fig is a new dog! He is allowed to go out off-leash, and without his collar; indeed he is safer without it. He can go out on his own for business and on walks he makes his own way, always keeping me in sight even if he roams. It is how my father's dog lived when dad was a boy, on the prairie. The dog never knew a collar or a leash, probably wandered the town at his leisure like Blackie does here. It was one of the things that stopped my father getting a dog in the city - that it was no life for a dog. Hm. Dogs just want to love and be loved. (And to get enough exercise and food of course.) Perhaps he also knew what a responsibility a dog is and thought that five kids was enough. (We did have a cat but in those days cats lived their own lives outdoors and in, and you just provided, very kindly, a warm place to sleep and food.)

Keep safe and keep warm. May the Solstice and this time of holidays bring health and hope where they are needed. 

Thank you for visiting.

Mumma Yaga

This morning...

... until the equinox and the eggs of Easter ...