Thursday, December 21, 2023

Winter Solstice wishes

 

Today around 10:30 pm is Winter Solstice. 

Starhawk in her book "The Fifth Sacred Thing" talks about a future where people would wish each other well by saying "May you never Hunger," to be answered by "May you never Thirst."

With climate catastrophe looming, having food and water available is an important part of our lives, or those of our children and their children. Remember the phrase of thinking of the seven generations to come? 

When I wish peace on earth I'm thinking of this, not so much of the wars that are so awful and continuing. The seventh generation to come.


What I tell my students, when they feel singularly unfortunate to
be born in this moment, is - 
"this is your moment, the moment your
soul showed up incarnate.  In this world.  It is an astonishing moment
to be alive.  You could have been born into a lull - instead you were
born into a tipping point. It's your one life and you've entered it at
a flexion point - a point when everything you do matters.  How
often in history does a soul get to live in such an era?  Don't waste it.
Show up for it.  With everything you've got.  Some will invent,
some will organize, some will witness, some will grieve, some
will console.  Live this life now.  Even if in fury and grief, live it.
You don't want to die not having lived.  It's incredibly easy to find
a way around experience rather than through it.  But you will have
cheated yourself out of ..... your life.  You are
here now.  Now is the time to live fully, not hide, not escape."

Jorie Graham




Winter Solstice Deer by Rion Wang


WINTER SOLSTICE PRAYER by Mary Saracino
Deep night, Dark night
Night of the longest sigh
Soulful night, Sacred night
Night of the longest dreams
Cold night, Holy night
Night of unfurling desires
Womb of the world, Birther of hope
Bringer of peace and good will
Pray, pray for all good things
That suffering for all will end
That life will thrive and generosity reign
In the hearts of all humankind
That joy will rise and children will fly
On wings of prosperity
Oh hear our plea, this silent night
When the moon is round in the sky
When hopes are high and eyes are wide
with delight and audacity
May Love prevail tonight, and always
Leading us back to our Source
May we dance with the dark, without hesitation or fear
And savor her promise of plenty
Deep night
Dark night
Night of the longest sigh
May our weary hearts stay vigilant and receptive
To all that is loving and dear


Four days till Christmas


Changes at Newgrange. This is an ancient site where the Winter Solstice is celebrated by the sun coming down the chamber to the back wall. It was sitting intact for centuries, until in the 20th century engineers decided to improve upon it.








13 comments:

  1. Such a powerful quote from Jorie Graham.

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    1. I don't even know who she is. Now I'm going to check, because it certainly rings true for me.

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    1. Thank you so much, Vicki! Enjoy this long night and may the brightness of tomorrow morning bring a year of joy your way.

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  3. Wishing you a happy Winter Solstice. Take care, have a happy day!

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  4. Happy Solstice, Barb! You shared some meaningful quotes that capture the essence of this day.
    I visited New grange in 2015, and was so upset to learn that it had been modified from its original form. I guess that was before we knew better about such things. But the inside is still incredible.

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    1. I have friends who have gone to see the winter solstice at Newgrange, which unfortunately often offers just a dreary cloudy day. It still must have some of the magnificence from being constructed originally by hand.

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    2. Oh, and wishes for you to have a very Happy Solstice and a new year of many blessings!

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  5. Happy Winter Solstice to you, Barbara! (NewRobin13)

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    1. Thanks Robin! I send you some good wishes for the new year !

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  6. ...and a happy day yo you! ☃️ 🎄 ❄️ 🎅🏼

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    1. Hi again Tom, I wrote a more extensive reply to your comment on my other blog, When I was 69. Thanks for your good wishes.

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  7. Happy Solstice, even if I am a bit late.

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So glad to have your comments...whatever they may be. I'm one who likes to reply sometime or another, so others will see that; or you might happen back sometime and see what conversation might have started.