Poetry

Solstice

A Reverent Heliophilia

Verdant leaves

Heavily branched

Cohering colonies

Atop sentinel woods;

Zephyred tremors

Their glory displayed

Bright in sunrise

Glistening with rain;

Blessed Solstice

We gift gratitude

Before lichen stones

Our intent be truth;

In serving, we offer

Each heart-throb of drum

For So(u)l’s highest purpose

And Light’s greatest climb.

Author’s Note- The word Solstice is derived from the Latin sol(Sun) and sistere(To stand still), because at the Solstices, the Sun’s declination appears to “stand still”; that is, the seasonal movement of the Sun’s daily path( as seen from Earth) pauses at a Northern or Southern limit before reversing direction. The time of the year is marked by the longest(June 21) and shortest(December 21) days. The winter solstice is considered a turning point in the year in many cultures. The sacred day is also called Yule to pagans celebrating the birth of the new solar year. England’s famous Stonehenge lures hordes of visitors during the summer and winter solstices. Revelers gather at the prehistoric site of ancient stones in Wiltshire to sing, dance, play instruments, kiss the stones and do yoga as they wait for the sun to rise. The iconic Stonehenge is known for its precise alignment with the sun’s movement and may have been a sacred place of worship and celebration of solstices for thousands of years, according to English Heritage, which manages the site.

December brings a wave of potent cosmic transformation. This is the crescendo of awakening energy for 2020 with cosmic consciousness streaming in to shake up and shift everything. December 21' 2020 is a powerful Cosmic Convergence for awakening, and presents a powerful choice point for individuals as well as the collective with the Great conjunction of Jupiter and Saturn, a rare alignment of giant planets after 800 years.

Nordic Yule Prayer

The child of promise, the Sun is Reborn,

Bringing hope to the Darkness of the forlorn,

Death has been and left its mark,

With winter’s bleakness, cold and stark.

The tides of Darkness turn,

We know the days will now grow long,

The holly and mistletoe adorn the fir tree,

Symbolizing life, friendship and festivity.

Gifts strengthen the bonds of love,

As the Sun starts to grow in the sky above.

We look towards the promise of spring,

And make our plans for new Year to bring.

With joy in our hearts as the old year departs.

Thank you so much for reading, beloved friends !

May the solstice bring the promise of a new season of fruitful endeavors and bountiful rewards.

From our Hearth to Yours:

Blessings and charms for Yuletide