Halcyon days, now wars are ending. You shall find where-e’er you sail Tritons all the while attending With a kind and gentle gale. ~ Halcyon Days by Thomas Shadwell (1642 – 1692) With the Winter Solstice now only a week away, we here in the Northern Hemisphere have come to the deepest darkness of the … Read more
Dark of the Moon New beginnings Dark of the Moon Plant a seed tonight Dark of the Moon What we envision Will come to be By the Full Moon’s light. Tonight at 7:22 pm EST, in the sign of the Centaur Archer, the dark Moon arrives. This is the lunation that will carry us through … Read more
Ring out the old, ring in the new, Ring, happy bells, across the snow: The year is going, let him go; Ring out the false, ring in the true. ~Alfred Lord Tennyson, 1850 (Many thanks to Waverly FitzGerald, who is the source for much of this lore. Blessings to you, Waverly, for your faithful, invaluable … Read more
Tell me what you feel in your room when the full moon is shining in upon you and your lamp is dying out, and I will tell you how old you are, and I shall know if you are happy. ~ Henri Frederic Amiel, Swiss philosopher, poet and critic (1821-1881) Well, Mr. Amiel, I am … Read more
This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. ~ The Book of John, 15:12 For those who are only celebrating Solstice with our Yuletide Advent prayer circle, we have now completed the candle lightings. But if you are also (or only) counting down to Christmas, tonight you will light … Read more
This was the “Love Song to the Natural World” honoring the Winter Solstice that Gary Phillips offered to our Gathering the Tribes celebration last night. Like all lyrical writing, it is meant to be read aloud. Especially, I think, the commitment at the end. I hope you will add your own voice to this promise. … Read more
Join together beneath the mistletoe, By the holy oak whereon it grows. Seven Druids dance in seven time. Sing the song the bells call, loudly chiming. Ring out these bells. Ring out, ring Solstice bells. Ring Solstice bells. — Ian Anderson, Jethro Tull ©1977 Ring the bells of joy and blessings! Throw open the Gates … Read more
The walls between the worlds are thinned; The Gods’ might is at its peak, The wights and the dead walk freely among the living. Let us remember them on this Mother Night. ~ from a Heathen rite posted on the Internet some years ago, original source unknown. This is the Eve of the Winter Solstice. … Read more
The Earth is steadfast and holds all that I need in Her open hand. I am glad to wait in the silent breath of the Earth. She is courage and love She, comfort and support. The Earth is joy and my source of strength. Psalm 27, Earth Psalms by Angela Magara Today is the fourth … Read more
Halcyon days, now wars are ending. You shall find where-e’er you sail Tritons all the while attending With a kind and gentle gale. ~ Halcyon Days by Thomas Shadwell (1642 – 1692) With the arrival of yesterday’s New Moon, and then the Winter Solstice being only a week away, we here in the Northern Hemisphere … Read more