Solstice: December 17 - 23

Solstice is one of the oldest known holidays in human history. In the Northern Hemisphere, the winter solstice marks the turning point from days of darkness to days of light. During the weeks leading up to this celestial significant day, almost all religions celebrate the triumph of light over darkness - Hanukkah, Diwali, Christmas. If you were a Celt, the yule log would be blazing tonight. Instead you could burn a candle, light the fireplace, or build a bonfire.

The rhythm of life is yours, O God,

the changing of the seasons,

the busyness of the day and the night's stillness,

youth's energy and age's measured pace.

For daylight followed by hours of darkness,

for the time of letting go

and of taking off the clothes of the day,

for the time of lying down

and being covered by the night's intimacy,

for the overlapping of the seen and the unseen,

heaven and earth,

flesh and angels,

body and spirit,

rest and dying and new life

all part of your rhythm, O God, thanks be to you.

John Philip Newell

earthandsoul.org

Practice

I invite you to settle into the season these next few days and pay attention to how you are feeling in your mind and in your body. Light a candle and sit with the darkness. Reflect on the above blessing. Listen to your heart.