Winter Solstice 2020

Today marks a turning point in the year as we celebrate the passing of the shortest day. As you may have guessed by now, this is one of my absolute favourite days of the whole year, and I woke up this morning feeling very happy and more than a little emotional. Winter Solstice is traditionally a day for rest and quiet reflection, for staying close to hearth and home and counting your blessings. It's a time to welcome in the winter months as we prepare to rest our bodies, nurture our souls, and make gentle plans for the year ahead. I like to think about these kinds of things as I go about my solstice day, and to remind myself (at frequent intervals) that every day from now on will be a little bit longer and a little bit lighter than the day before. Thank goodness, oh ThAnK GOODnesS!!!!! Bring. Me. The. LIGHT!!!!!

Hmmm......as you can see from the above photo, the weather today in Atticland was truly dire. It's been cold, grey and wet all day, but honestly I didn't mind too much. A day of hearth and home, remember? J and I walked into town this morning to run some errands and it was quiet on the streets with not very many people out at all.

We stopped off for a coffee on our way home, enjoying the warmth and comforting familiarity. I know we are very fortunate to still be able to go and enjoy a drink out here as our area isn't in a severe lockdown. Although we still have restrictions (we can't socialise indoors), for me and J it means that our little café jaunts are still happening and I'm so, so grateful for the normality of it.

On the way home from the shops I took a very quick little detour along the muddy footpath which connects the canal to the park. I was on a speedy foraging mission to gather in some ivy stems, and I knew there was a vast amount growing rampant along that pathway so I didn't feel too bad about snaffling a little bit into my bag.

I always buy a special candle for Winter Solstice - this year I went for a very seasonal red Cranberry and Vanilla with the most delicious scent to it. 

When I got home I set about performing my usual Winter Solstice celebrations. It was a simple, low key affair which I enjoyed very much, pottering about by myself while the rest of the family were scattered elsewhere in the house doing their own thing. I took the foraged ivy and some eucalyptus I already had and twisted it around a simple wire wreath. There see, I told you it was simple, it took me less than ten minutes to create but oh, it was so pleasing to do! I adore the scent of eucalyptus, it really is one of my favourite seasonal smells I think. 

I lit my candle at around 3pm when the daylight was already fading....

....and I sat quietly with a milky coffee in hand and the kitty for company, feeling very content with my lot. One of my dear friends sent a message into our WhatsApp group this morning (it's the group for my real life yarny tribe who I chat with pretty much every day). Her words were so charming and heartfelt that I thought I would steal them quote her on this special day of celebration.

She said "it is a morning of unremitting murk....I am going to light every candle and turn on all the Christmas lights to shine a light in the darkness. The days get longer and we can hope for light in all parts of our lives from tomorrow....happy Solstice".

Isn't that just a lovely thing? The simple act of lighting a candle to shine brightness out into the world and wish for happier days to come. Yes. Yes yes yes. Count me in! Light ALL the candles!!!!

I sat for ages in front of our fire this afternoon, watching the daylight fade and darkness slowly creep in. Fairy lights, candle light, firelight and lots of hopeful wishes for a brighter tomorrow.

 Happy Solstice to you all, sending all my love and light out into the dark, I hope it finds you....

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Comments

[Amanda]

Happy winter solstice <3

[Jackie Farrow]

It’s the opposite here in Australia! But there is now release from the days to come. Very hot Christmas this year. Today 22/12 being around 39-40. “Not happy Jan”. There is you sitting in front of the fire and me sitting under the aircon. Thank god for the aircon, if it wasn’t for that I would not be able to knit or crochet. Talking of the crocheting, my “Leo” granny square blanket is almost complete. I have learnt a lesson here, sow in end as you go. I’m hoping it’s going to be finish as it’s a Christmas present for my daughter. I was hoping to wash and block it before wrapping but I have a feeling that’s not going to happen. Oh well I will do as much as possible and then wrap and explain I need to finish it before she can take it home. Merry Christmas to you and family. Stay safe ❤️🎄🎅🧶

[Rosie]

Hi Lucy,
Could you possibly let me know that you received the bag safely that I left at the café for you? It had a couple of gifts inside to thank you for your blog, including a book about Light...plus a bag of magazines and I’m worried that it hasn’t reached you...
Rosie xx

[Mary H]

Happy Solstice to you, too. I'll be lighting my solstice candle this evening.

[Dawn]

Such cheering and calming words in these challenging times Lucy. Thank you. I spent a happy half hour today organising my Summer Harmony colourwash blanket squares which was very therapeutic. I am always so grateful that you kindly share your vision and expertise with us all.

[Sarah Leese]

Yes we so need all the lights right now!!! Hopefully more than the shortest day passes with the solstice and it brings new hope for 2020. I have to admit though one of the things I love about the darker days is how we all as humans attempt to shes light on them with an abundance of fairy lights. That simple act alone beings me hope and the small comfort that we are all still shining :)

[Pamela Geoghegan]

Isn't it wonderful to know that we are about to celebrate the birth of Jesus, who is the Light of the world!

[Linda from Boston]

Amen!! I need LIGHT. We had 11” of snow a few days ago with bitter cold so it felt more like January. Still didn’t instill much of the Christmas spirit!!! Another inch of snow overnight which was quite interesting because we saw all sorts of footy prints!! Today was 38 degrees F which made it feel like spring. Bring it on!!! Tonight is the Bethlehem Star. Jupiter and Saturn line up and look like one bright star. Last one was 400 years ago. Sadly, we have cloud cover but I’ll look in another 15 minutes. Nice to know it’s out there. Shine the light on all mankind. Peace to all.

[Kay]

Boy o boy do we need the light! I found of very apt that today the vaccins were approved here in Europe. Light at the end of the tunnel.
Happy holidays, counting the days till the CAL. Xxx