On This Winter Solstice...

Solstice...

Winter Solstice has always been a special time for our family and friends. For 30 some years we have had gatherings on or around it. The turning of the year, the return of the light. A true Holy Time…

It has been strange not have a Solstice celebration with all that we love. The last two years certainly have been game changers for our yearly round. Yet, there is hope for future gatherings with the Beloved. We have had gatherings from as few as 4, to 76… we settled in at about 40 15 years ago. There is lots of food, mulled wine, mulled cider, good company, the recitation of poetry and ritual. Nothing heavy, a fire ceremony of lighting the last years yule log (the Solstice tree), lighting of candles for the dead, lighting of candles for the living. Ritual burning of what we want to give up individually, and ritual burning of what we want to draw to us in the coming year. Then it becomes a Saturnalia of food, wine, laughter, joy.

In years past, Absinthe would be served to all who wanted it at Midnight to the rising of the sun. Those days sadly are gone. (aging perhaps?) Amazing conversation, with the fire blazing away in the fireplace. Good friends, Beloved all.

We awoke today to sunshine. it was absolutely glorious. It has been quite dark and wet for what seems for weeks, and amidst all of that, my biggest urge has been to hibernate. I love winter sleeps, but especially the dreaming. The nightly has been quite adventurous as of late I have to confess. Strangely, the current world has started to seep into Dreamtime. Most disturbing on a few levels. Usually, my dreams have been of anything but the world at large. It must be the times. Still, I am having dreams that carry into waking hours, as I try to grasp at the symbology, and guidance that I have always found in that state.

I pray your Solstice has been brilliant. I wish the best of a coming year to you all. We plan to inaugurate a Summer Solstice Gathering this year. Even with Covid, this is possible on the main, being outside and all. Plans are in the making.

News: The Invisible College #11 “Alchemy” has arrived, and is being mailed to all who ordered copies, along with the print “Her Alchemical Dream” . It looks really wonderful! Happy to see it.

We have a Solstice Radio Show! Check it out if you get a chance. It is on until December 26th.

Here is one of the songs on the show. Not Bing Crosby, I assure you:

I lit candles for departed friends. People I knew for 50 years. Wonderful Souls. The world is full of beauty, remember always.

Bright Blessings To You All!

Cheers,

Gwyllm