Winter Solstice: celebrate with feasting, peace and charity

The depth of winter is here!

In the Blue Mountains, the chill winds blow rain and sleet while the frost chills us to the core. We are rugged up in our winter woollies and the days get shorter and shorter, heading to the shortest day, Winter Solstice, the 22nd June.

 Solstice means ....

Standing-still-sun


but... while Winter Solstice marks the darkest time of the year, it heralds the return of the warmth of the sun.

From now on, the days get longer and we can encourage the return of the sun and the light with the fun of the Yule festival, which includes lots of feasting, pleasures and games around the warmth of the fire and don't forget the kisses under the mistletoe!

The holly and the ivy,
When they are both full grown
Of all the trees that are in the wood
The holly bears the crown ...

Evergreen trees are sacred to the Goddess and in Australia we are blessed with beautiful evergreens, acacias, gums, angopheras, turpentines, wollemi pines, bring the Goddess into your house with a branch or two of the Australian bush (not from a national park though!).

peace, love and goodwill to all ...

Most importantly, Yule has always been a time of peace and charity so bring this into your celebrations as well. Donate to your favorite charity and ask yourself what you can do to create peace in a world full of war. Join Amnesty perhaps or GreenPeace? Remember, 'from little things big things grow'!

... Happy Winter Solstice 

and merry Yule all!