It seems appropriate somehow that the weather is grey, wet and windy as we reach the Solstice. Still fairly mild but the wind and rain do not encourage outdoor activity. A time for being indoors and enjoying the seasonal preparations. Outings to town and the shopping frenzy that happens there make me happy to retreat to the quiet of the countryside. There is a lovely stillness in the air here this morning…it’s as if Nature is taking a deep breath.
Yesterday we brought in and decorated our potted Christmas Tree. We have had this for three years now. We hope to cut a conifer that needs to go from the garden as a big tree for the porch. I just love decorating a tree with all the baubles I’ve collected over the years. I especially love the lights. At this time of the longest night I think we are all so longing for the return of the light that these twinkling lights and the candles we are so fond of help fill that need for now.
I read a lovely quote yesterday that said “Without the darkness we would not see the Stars.” We need this period of darkness to recoup our energies…spend time with friends and family…to just be. Soon enough we will feel the need to get our hands in the soil and once again plant the seeds and tend the crops. Beneath the surface the first stirrings are already taking place. It won’t be long until the first Snowdrops appear.
For now let us celebrate the year just gone…look forward to the new year…celebrate the goodness we encounter. Sure enough we will have dark days too…for that is the pattern of life. But always remember…
out of the darkness there will come light.
Happy Solstice to each and every one who visits here!
fromacountrycottage 
Beautiful post! It is a funny, transitional time of year–it seems so dark and final and, yet, the promise of the new year is just on the horizon!
Same to you.
I prefer to look at it as the shortest day. 😉
And Happy Christmas to you and yours, Bridget! I’m so looking forward to the return of light. But where would we be without the change of seasons?
Karla
Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to you and your family, Bridget xo
Loving the Solstice and the turning of the year – best wishes from Donegal.
Wishing you and yours all the best. Have a lovely Christmas!
Beautiful, thought-provoking and heartfelt words and musings, Bridget. Solstice and yule blessings to you and your family. We chatted with Andy this afternoon as the market was winding down today, and we send our love to you.
I came across a beautiful poem the other day that touched and moved me – a poet’s quiet musings on the meaning of the solstice, the dark and the light. The winter solstice holds special significance and meaning for me – it is always a time of deep and quiet reflection and remembrance for loved ones, and reverence for the beauty, the mysterious and awesome wonder of it all, the changing seasons and the gifts each season offers to each of us If I may, I’d like to share it with you and others here….
WINTER SOLSTICE
by Martin Jones
Journeying around the sun,
at Yule, she turns furthest from the light.
Here In the dark of the long night she is veiled,
and here she comes to the fullness of her union with creation.
To enter is to hold Death closest to our hearts.
And as we do, Death has her sensuous way.
Slowly, we come to a clearing, and the solstice.
And in deep stillness, we enter.
Our journey from the sun has come to its full,
and we wait in a rare quality of quietness.
Time is no more.
Here in this place, we gently slip into the emptiness, and depth of the void,
and bathe in the energies of creation.
when we are cleansed, and fully drunken from the cup,
she continues on her journey around, and we edge back closer to the light.
slipping out through her veils in birth, we are new, and journeying to the sun.
Beautiful! Says it all really. Thanks for sharing that June. Best wishes to you both on the Solstice and for a lovely Christmastime too. xx
Merry Christmas 🙂
and to you and yours!
Happy Solstice to you both, and wishing you both a Happy Yule Tide.
Best wishes to you, dear Bridget, for very Merry Christmas and a happy New Year! I hope your “longest night” was peaceful and warm. Thank you for the lovely way to look at it!
Thanks Cindy! Best wishes to you and yours for a very happy Christmas time. x
I love the quote about darkness and the stars – it’s made me look at these long, dark nights in a whole new way… thank you! Hope you have a wonderful Christmas Bridget, will this be the first one in your new home?
It is indeed the first one here in Flynn’s Cottage. Happy days! Best wishes to you and yours for a lovely Christmas time. x
A beautiful post that would be a wonderful addition to my Seasonal Celebrations post…it is time to celebrate the light and coming into the New Year….Happy Christmas and Happy New Year!!
It feels good to be the other side of the Solstice and I spotted the first signs of snowdrops pushing through yesterday. Miserable weather here today as a storm passes through but at least we’re warm and dry. I’m of to wrap presents in front of the fire this afternoon. Wishing you and your family a very merry Christmas. WW x
I feel a sense of renewed energy today!
Jane x
A Very Merry Christmas 🙂 to you and your family. Also, have a great New Year.