Celebrating Winter Solstice!

I love the Winter Solstice! It’s been sort of an odd revelation to me – anyone who knows me would think that my newly-developed appreciation for Winter Solstice had developed out of my growing connection to nature-focused spirituality. But actually it developed independent of my pagan studies. Of course I do enjoy the fact that while everyone else is running around the mall, I can sit back and meditate on the rotation of the Earth instead. And I guess in a way that lead me to it – over the past few years I have thought more about the Solstice (if only as a means to NOT think about Christmas). But all that cynicism aside – here is what I truly appreciate about the Winter Solstice - - -

Where I live I am able to enjoy all four seasons, and, although I try very hard to embrace them all, winter always feels longer than the rest. In reality it isn’t, but December to March just feels so long – cold – dark . . .

But then I realized what the Winter Solstice really means – it’s the return of the sun!! It may be the first official day of Winter, but every day from the Winter Solstice to the Summer Solstice contains a little more sunlight than the day before! So even though December is only the beginning of the winter season, Winter Solstice brings longer days (which means spring and summer are on their way!) I know those extra minutes of sunlight each day do not equate to warmth – but psychologically, knowing that every day is a little longer, really does help me to look at the rest of winter in a different light (pardon the pun). January and February might be bitter cold, but the sun is out longer every day and in the end, the sun WILL conquer the cold!

So come Winter Solstice – brighten our days and warm our hearts!