27 this morning, clear and frosty.
So Winter begins, as so does the Yule season.
For some, this dark point of the year is a time of sadness, thinking of the death of green, the long cold ahead. For others, Winter Solstice is a time of joy, rebirth, and a celebration of the slow return of light. On her blog this morning, Barb mentioned that at some point of the day, the earth's axis tilts so that the light hours grow, little by little. Imagine that. Not perhaps something we can feel, but an ever so slight change in the wide circle of our planet.
I am in the camp of those celebrating the coming of winter, the ascendancy of the Oak King over the Holly King who has ruled since Summer Solstice. In this folkloric tradition, the Holly King represents the gradual fading away of green and light, while the Oak King represents the slow stirring of life beginning again, and the return of green.
Tonight we have the fire going and lights on to welcome the Oak King. It is time to get out the seed catalogs, think about this year's garden, and enjoy the rest before the busy growing season is upon us once again.
The mistletoe is hung, greenery decorates the house, and instead of wassail, we will raise a glass of wine to toast both the Yule season and winter. Welcome to both!
Loved these beautiful illustrations. I have one reader who refutes the changing tilt of the earth at solstices. Now I wonder how else it can be explained. But yes, the time to plan for the next growing season is upon us!
ReplyDeleteI enjoy this time of year. The planning and excitement of a new growing season is here :)
ReplyDeleteI enjoy this time of year too. It seems to come up faster every year so take time and enjoy it and then we go onward.
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