Solstice.....2017

At 5:23 EST today, the sun will reach its Southern destination and turn Northward again creating longer days, and for a few months cold weather will reign. Winter starts. Yet it is a day for celebration!  Yule, Yalda, Dongzhi, are just a few of the many traditional ways it is marked. We love to celebrate and the arrival of light back into our lives is a darn good reason to make merry:)  

It is one of my favourite dates. I like"turning points", they are like commas, a chance to stop and pause. Review, reset and renew my intentions for how I want to live my life, what I want in my life, who I want in my life, where I want my life to go, what I want my life to look like, who I want to be....All that good stuff.
As Mme de Saltzmann said, "One must begin again and again" We try we fail, we start once more. That's the wonderful thing about life. We can keep attempting until we get it right or realize that being right might not be what we thought it was. That's another great thing about life....we can allow ourselves the uncomfortable (sometimes) luxury of changing our minds.

As I sit here and type, I have a small candle burning near me. Entrancing, full of energy and magic.They need oxygen to survive like we do....just realized that. (I knew it of course, duh, but never connected it to myself:)  We breathe together. I make a point of lighting one every December 21, gratitude made manifest for lengthening days and as focus for my thoughts. It is a busy time of year for most, with Christmas and Holidays taking front stage, but this day is a good one to stop for a few moments and take some quiet time to reflect and reboot.

One of my thoughts for this turning of the season is that I resolve to get outside more often and enjoy the brilliant sharp beauty of Winter. I tend to hibernate inside, looking out the window and saying "Brrrrrrr" As someone once said, there is no bad weather.... just bad clothing! That said, I have to improve my exterior cladding:)  It will also help my mood. I love being outdoors but deprive myself because of the brrrrr factor. We shall see.......

 

I also want to create more! I have some painting classes coming up in the new year. Stay tuned! these will be a bit more free flowing and creative. I have some ideas I am excited about! Working harder so I can play harder. Carving out more time for me.  How do you celebrate this time of year?

all photos: Shelagh Duffett