Happy Winter Solstace!

[JUL]

One of my best friends and confidantes, the chaplain where I teach, says that the Winter Solstice is his favorite day of the year. When he sent me a BD greeting yesterday (his is today), he said, "I always perform a brief candlelight ritual on my back porch. It's kind of like a New Years' ritual as I face the west, the place where the sun sets (or dies according to our ancestors) and mention to God about the failures and disappointments that I've experienced, and then I light a candle and face the east (where the sun rises) thanking God for being with me through pain and suffering, and asking God to open my eyes and ears to see and hear the new things that are sprouting all around me." I'm starting that tradition.

He sounds like a beautifully balanced person. His ritual very calming and spiritual....I love the part how he faces East...I always thank God for being with me....but to include asking him to open his eyes and ears to the new things around him....such a great prayer and thought.

Thanks for sharing

 

[drunkkenartist]

This is acually a pre-Christian ritual celebrating the Winter Solstice. I would use the word Pagan, but that scares the uninformed. I've been doing it for years. One of the older 'religions', pretty much based on the simple things in life, like farming and basically staying alive. Whether it be God, Goddess, Mom Nature or any higher power of your choosing, tis nice to get back to basics.

Happy Holidaze-whatever it may be.

Kenny

 

[Mango]

Thank goodness for longer daze...my kumquats are suffering from lightness depravation.

why doesn't he post more often.

 

[RiverOtter]

RO - go lay down.

(that's what we used to say to our littlest brother whenever he was a pain in the butt... "Jack! Go lay down!" meaning, go to your bed and be quiet).

What

 

[scooterbug44]

Woo-hoo! More daylight!

 

[Miss Kitty]

Does that mean today is the shortest day of the year?

 

[Smiling JOe]

Does that mean today is the shortest day of the year?

You're a day late.

 

[Beach Runner]

You're a day late.

Right. My December 22nd birthday is the shortest day of the year. But December 23rd is the first full day of winter.

 

[Miss Kitty]

You're a day late.

and probably a dollar short as well.

Right. My December 22nd birthday is the shortest day of the year. But December 23rd is the first full day of winter.

Short, but sweet!

 

[Beach Runner]

Short, but sweet!

It was sweet. Check out my "Happy BD" thread.