As I’m bustling about in preparation for
the coming holidays, feeling more and more frazzled every day, I’m inclined to
adopt a winter solstice mindset, a time of calm reflection. Also,
hibernal suggests hibernation and that’s an idea I can get behind.
Recently I’ve been reading about how the
solstice is celebrated around the world. Throughout history, the
darkest day of the year has been marked by ritual, reflection, and feelings of
renewal. People in Scandinavia celebrated Yule by gathering around fires to
burn Yule logs and sip warmed mead – both of which were good antidotes to the
encroaching dark and cold of the northern winter. The celebration also welcomed
the return of the sun – each subsequent day will be longer.
Ancient Romans celebrated Saturnalia,
dedicated to Saturn, the god of agriculture, to mark the end of the planting
season. Music, gift-giving, and feasting lasted for several days.
Traditional solstice rituals continue to be
celebrated. St. Lucia’s Day was a festival of lights during which fires were
lit on the longest night to scare away spirits. Today in Scandinavia, young
girls dress in white and wear a wreath of candles on their heads.
Many people in Japan mark the solstice and
the return of the sun, called Toji, by bathing in water scented with yuzu, a citrus fruit.
They eat kabocha squash for good luck, and they light bonfires.
Not surprisingly, fires and candles are a
common theme across many cultures.
To celebrate winter solstice this year, I
plan to walk a labyrinth (perhaps while celebrating this year’s accomplishments
and contemplating next year’s goals) before feasting with good friends – a bit
of nature and a bit of good cheer. And I’ll light a few candles.
And then I’ll crawl in my cave and not poke
my nose out for a few months.
No matter how you celebrate this time of
year, may your home be filled with light, warmth, and love.
~~~
If
you enjoy steamy, small town romance with laughter and snappy dialogue, don’t
miss the first book in this exciting new series. Buy If I Didn’t Care and escape to MacLeod’s Cove today!
Guess who’s moving in next door?
Nicole
Bennett is used to bad luck—it’s kind of a family curse. She’s spent the past
year stitching her life back together after losing her dream job. Well, it paid
the rent. Now stuck working at her family’s grocery store while wrangling a
demoralized dad and a spoiled-brat sister, the last thing she needs is for the
man who wrecked her life to move in next door, even if it is for only three
weeks. So what if he’s sexier than sin and makes her believe in fairy tale
endings?
Ross
Calvert’s life in the fast lane crashed when he lost his job and fiancée. All
he’s got to show for years of hard work are a sleek sports car and a closet
full of designer suits – minus the closet. Determined to salvage his
relationship with his best friend, he trades in the corporate life for a brief
stint as a caregiver. The decision was simple—until he discovers the tempting
vixen he wronged lives next door. Maybe she’s what he needs to reboot his life.
What
starts off as a no-strings fling soon veers into making promises that might be
impossible to keep.
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6 comments:
Luanna, Love this post and the history and traditions of Winter Solstice or Yule. I'll be lighting the candles and most likely sitting before that fire contemplating this past year and looking forward to the next along with two of my best friends. Oh, we may have a hot toddy or two also.
I also tend to be more hibernal this time of year.
Your new series looks like a winner!
Happy Solstice, Luanna! We celebrate it here in Alaska, too. :-)
Ah yes, Judith, the hot toddies are required! Thank you for your kind words about my new book.
Lynn, a blessed Solstice to you, as well!
Hibernating does look good on the shortest day of the year! This was an interesting post. I love learning the history of different holidays. Blessed Solstice to you, Luanna.
Judith - as Luanna's critique partner, I can vouch for what a fun book this is with witty dialogue. But as we took time off from critiquing, I haven't read the end. So it is on my Kindle to read :-)
Interesting blog on international celebrations and history of Solstice.
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