Winter Solstice 2011

Celebrated throughout the Celtic world, the shortest day of the year darkens into the longest night, as the sun appears to weaken in strength and vitality, as if in death. Bonfires are lit to call back the sun, to chase death away, and to celebrate the dawn of a new year with the rebirth of light. As the sun grows in radiance it gives new life to Earth, warming the soil, germinating the seed, renewing all living creatures. Renewal and rebirth are the nucleus of the Solstice celebration.
May the New Year
Bring you peace and light,
Love and laughter!

Winter grows close
embracing me
with silvered silence
Rivers grow still
where summer birds
had nested their young
birds now winged on
to distant places
to wait for the sun's return.
I let my heart burn
in warm dreams
beside the Yule fire
let my flesh glow
with the light of ancient times
let my songs grow
from the merry hearth
from the rhythm of the Earth
from the sun's rebirth.
—MerryJoy © 2011

Sacred to the ancients, the Solstice was celebrated with consecrated Holly and Ivy, Rowan and Oak. Evergreen boughs, mistletoe, and rosemary symbolized eternal life, protected celebrants from evil spirits, and imparted magical powers.