*Semi-disclaimer: I hadn’t realized I hit the post button before this blog was finished, so apologies if this causes confusion*
Mood: ‘A Medieval Christmas’ by the Boston Camerata
Solstice; Halfway Out of the Dark
First day of Winter. Darkest day of the year in the Northern Hemisphere. From here on out, each day get a little ‘brighter’.
Of course, for most of my life, I lived in Alaska, so the Solstice was generally in a good 4 hours of daylight and and hour or so total of twilight at dawn and dusk. There were benefits to that if it wasn’t too cold out…
…and a galaxy of stars…
Celebrations!
The ancient Romans celebrated ‘Saturnalia’, to honor the god Saturn (who’da guessed, right?) where, basically, mores of station and social standing were tolerably reversed. Later, it became the ‘Birth of the Invincible Sun’, made so by the Emperor Aurelian in the Third Century. The ancient Egyptians also honored their sun god, Ra, at this time. Of course, the ancient Celts and Teutonic people of northern and Central Europe celebrate Yule.
Those are just a few of such celebrations associated with this specific day.
However, what has always fascinated me, and one of my first blogs here covered this some, is that all of the ancient peoples had some sort of observatory, best the Medicine Wheel in Wyoming or Stonehenge in Great Britain or the Mayan El Caracol in Chichen Itza, have all noted the day in these and many other monuments. We are talking thousands, if not tens of thousands of years of awareness of this turning point out of the dark.
A Few Final Tidbits
I am now, as I write this bold, sitting in a cold snap in North Carolina, as is much of this side of the USA. I am warmed with mulled wine and the cheer of Christmas decorations around me. Thinking on the day of Solstice, I am reminded of two songs dealing directly with it, and if I am savvy enough, I will link them as well as show the lyrics, as a final parting.
Now is the solstice of the year
Seven maids move in seven time
Have the lads up ready in a line
Ring out, ring solstice bells
Ring solstice bells
By the holy oak whereon it grows
Seven druids dance in seven time
Sing the song the bells call, loudly chiming
Ring out, ring solstice bells
Ring solstice bells
Ring out, ring out the solstice bells
Joyful as the silver planets run
Seven maids move in seven time
Sing the song the bells call, loudly chiming
Ring out, ring solstice bells
Ring solstice bells
Ring on, ring out
Ring on, ring out
Ring on, ring out
Ring on, ring out
When you're alone, silence is all you see
When you're alone, silence is all you'll be
Give me your hand and come to me
When you are here, music is all around
When you are near, music is all around
Open your eyes, don't make a sound
Let in the shadow, let in the shadow
Let in the light of your bright shadow
Let in the shadow, let in the shadow
Let in the light of your bright shadow
Be well and pax vobiscum!
