- Winter Solstice

21st December

 At Winter Solstice we are in the midst of Dark Samhain and we are aware of the surrounding darkness.  The year seems at its most oppressive.  But into this darkness the light is reborn.We gather to welcome the light into our hearts and to grow with it towards the fullness of Summer Solstice.

Robin hassles us for food at Newgrange during the winter solstice

2008 winter solstice started misty and dull with no visible sun, and continued that way all day.  We could barely see the earthly horizon and certainly not through our life giving atmosphere to the cosmic light. 

Yet, shrouded in this wintry haze, the day was mild

and people flocked to Tara to acknowledge the turning of the year. 

Change and new beginnings were welcomed by all in the depths of our wintry haze.

Tom and Anne's Yule Celebration on Tara

On the shortest, darkest day of the year, many people stood on the hill at sunrise and welcomed the light back into their lives,aware of the return of lengthening days and the promise of spring.

After the sun had set that day, we put out the lantern candles and stood in the darkness of night.

Then the flames were encouraged back into life (a big achievement on a windy hill) and reminded us again of the return of the light.

(Note: photographs were not taken on Tara; Anne and Tom replicated the centre of the ceremony for these pictures the following day.

The Hill is an archaeologically sensitive place and fires are never placed directly on the ground.)

Red holly berries and white mistletoe decorate the Yule Log

Yuletide is a time to give thanks for the year past, release what no longer serves and welcome in new beginnings.

Using paper to carry our intentions, we breathed into the symbolic holly concentrating on what we needed to release,

then sent our message out to the Universe by burning the paper in the fire.

cinnamon stars and wassail are welcome after a windy ceremony...

_____________

2007 saw the gathering of about 20 people who took part in our non denominational ceremony of light.

Pilgrims were welcomed into the candle infused holy well with a short poem. Each one entered through smudge and light beyond a magical doorway into the sacred space. Meditations were alternated with movement to keep the temprature up and even the hokey cokey found its way in there too, to lighten the mood with fun and laughter.

Reflections on "Ether", a group poem for the new year, a narative of the suns winter journey through Irish Mythology and a short meditation on birthing our own light found the time ag rith ar nós na gaoithe on us.

And as is now tradition there was food! Hot home made soup (from the Stacks) for anyone that wanted and seasonal mince pies from Michael Maguire.

A big thank you to all that showed up and took part. We Hope you all enjoyed yourselves at this mid Samhain feast.

candles lit the path at the holy well...

there was magic in the air...

and in the holy well

and sacred candles in another magical place -

    Winter Wonderland

Sunset over the mudflats of Baltray, where the River Boyne dies to the saltwaters of the Irish Sea. 7 December 2008.

Mound of the Hostages -  3rd December 2008

the cold days of winter reveal the yin / yang effect of sun and no sun on the land

frost stayed all day on the northern face (showing white in the photograph)

 whilst on the southern side, warmed by the sun, frost and ice melted and the grass was green

If you have photos to share celebrating Winter Solstice

(or Summer Solstice if in the southern hemisphere)

please email them to us

Castleton, Derbyshire - 2008 - bringing Christmas cheer to neighbours and visitors

The sun shines high above a snow man in Canada -  and Santy got caught up in the holly on Tara

Thanks to Liz Kirkham for the following photos and verse -

 The earth wheel of Arbor Low in the Peak District of England - it is said that ancient people from Tara lived here

=====WINTER FRIEND=======
                     
Some call it 'poison ivy'
But it is a winter friend
And stays when red hot pokers fade
And tiger lilies end.

Constant and contented
On the garden wall it grows
Sheltering the birds
From every stormy wind that blows.

     ========================== 

 The chart for 21st December 2008 - we would be very appreciative of any comments or interpretation

 The Solstice astrological pattern is interpreted as a seed for the coming year. 

The Mars, Sun, Pluto conjunction on the midheaven may indicate frayed tempers and even the use of force. It suggests bringing our Stuff into the Light.

Meditation at this time is too passive –fire, drumming and dancing expresses these energies.

Many thanks especially to Stephanie Bolton for her insights on this chart