Sunday, December 23, 2012

My First (Real) Solstice

  I remember pointing out to my husband last year that I was celebrating "Yule," not "Christmas"(thank you very much.)  But really, I didn't even know much at all about Yule or the solstice.  This is my first year of actually observing the sabbats, and so this was my first true winter solstice celebration.


                     
  My day began with a flurry of activity, making some last minute cookie gifts and making butternut squash soup and biscuits for later in the day.  What could be more appropriate for the first day of winter than a bowl of hot soup?




I spent time looking over the list of goals and intentions I'd made for the coming year, and made a scrapbook of those goals, leaving space to record my progress. One of my goals is to learn about health and naturopathic medicine, so I left space to list the related books I read over the next year. Another is to get into one musical production, and there's a pocket to place a ticket to the show in.





  When I opened the blinds, I was delighted to see the thick white flakes falling from the sky. It snowed and snowed, our first big snow of the year, and felt just like you'd imagine the first day of winter should.  I made some hot cocoa in the crockpot, and filled two portable coffee cups for me and hubby before bundling up and driving off to the park. The park was deserted and we parked the car near a short path through some trees. Sipping our cocoa, we walked over the snowy path and breathed in the wintry air. I searched for the the spark of life that is so vibrant in the spring and summer, but it seemed to be lying deep within the earth, not quite as easy to access now.

  We ran a few errands before going back to our warm home, where we spent some lovely time together. In the evening, I went to my room for my ritual, followed by divination and reflection on this darkest night. I headed to bed fairly early, and rose the next morning to greet the sun. It hid behind the clouds for most of the day, finally showing itself in a beautiful sunset later that evening. We sat in the living room and exchanged our gifts to one another, then finished packing and headed out of town to spend the holidays with family.


The Sun, now beginning to grow in strength, was placed at the top of the tree in the morning.

  Altogether, I thought it was a lovely first winter solstice, and I look forward to many more to come.

2 comments:

  1. Hello, I just found your blog listed on the about.com pagan area. I am glad to have found it. You write very nicely. This year my family celebrated a few holidays, Yule, Mothering Eve, and Christmas. We have had a blast with it. I will come back to read some more. Thanks for sharing your story with the world. You can find my blog here, babymotherandgoddesss.blogspot.com

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  2. Thank you so much! I'm glad you like it, and I'm glad to hear your family is having a wonderful holiday season. I've subscribed to your blog and look forward to following along on your journey. :-)

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