On This Solstice

A Solstice Blessing!

Here is to the return of the light!

A Solstice Blessing for You All. Welcome the Coming of the Light! From our Clan to Yours!

Love,

Gwyllm

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Robert Graves' poem "To Juan at the Winter Solstice"

There is one story and one story only
That will prove worth your telling,
Whether as learned bard or gifted child;
To it all lines or lesser gauds belong
That startle with their shining
Such common stories as they stray into.

Is it of trees you tell, their months and virtues,
Or strange beasts that beset you,
Of birds that croak at you the Triple will?
Or of the Zodiac and how slow it turns
Below the Boreal Crown,
Prison to all true kings that ever reigned?

Water to water, ark again to ark,
From woman back to woman:
So each new victim treads unfalteringly
The never altered circuit of his fate,
Bringing twelve peers as witness
Both to his starry rise and starry fall.

Or is it of the Virgin's silver beauty,
All fish below the thighs?
She in her left hand bears a leafy quince;
When, with her right hand she crooks a finger, smiling,
How many the King hold back?
Royally then he barters life for love.

Or of the undying snake from chaos hatched,
Whose coils contain the ocean,
Into whose chops with naked sword he springs,
Then in black water, tangled by the reeds,
Battles three days and nights,
To be spewed up beside her scalloped shore?

Much snow is falling, winds roar hollowly,
The owl hoots from the elder,
Fear in your heart cries to the loving-cup:
Sorrow to sorrow as the sparks fly upward.
The log groans and confesses:
There is one story and one story only.

Dwell on her graciousness, dwell on her smiling,
Do not forget what flowers
The great boar trampled down in ivy time.
Her brow was creamy as the crested wave,
Her sea-blue eyes were wild
But nothing promised that is not performed.

So… This is a great day for contemplation of the year behind and the year ahead. Take your woes and write them down. Throw the paper onto a fire to release you from their bindings.

Take up another piece of paper, and write out your hopes and dreams for the coming year. Consign it as well to the fire, but as an offering of hope, and offering of love.

I will toast you all tonight, and raise the cup of eternity to us all.

Make the world a better place for your being here in our brief moment.

Much Love, All Hail the Coming of the Light!

G