After Solstice there is a period of standstill where the days remain the same length. Sometime around the 25th and 26th December the days start lengthening. Quite literally, the “Son” (sun) is “born.”
This year it was the 23rd December, where we gained an extra 7 seconds of daylight. The days will lengthen to an average of two minutes a day until we see a full extra hour of sunlight by January 18, 2023.
Interestingly, the days actually begin to feel a bit longer two weeks before the Winter Solstice. The earliest sunset of the year happens on Wednesday, December 7 2022.
This is because of the Earth’s elliptical orbit around the Sun. The planet moves faster in its orbit during January when we’re closest to the Sun, and slower in July, when we’re further away. The Sun’s path through the sky, when charted on a day to day basis, appears as an “analemma” - a figure-8 pattern.
Because of this pattern, the meridian is rarely at exactly noon, and can be 15 minutes out. This is discrepancy is known as the “Equation of Time” and sundial owners will know it well.
This looping path explains why the earliest and latest sunrises fail to coincide with the solstices.
Anyway, I hope you all enjoy your day and your Turkey/Nut Roast dinners later! Sending lots of love from the cemetery.
Happy Winter Solstice everyone! I’m wishing you a warm, cheery and abundant Yuletide and a blessed Summer Solstice if you are in the Southern Hemisphere.
Astrological Winter solstice occurs at 21:48hrs tonight, UK time. Tomorrow, at dawn, we celebrate the return of the Sun after the longest night of the year. On the 23rd December the day will get longer by 7 seconds, until we have a full hour of extra daylight on the 18th January 2023.
This is always such a joyful time for me. Whilst peak celebrations of the Sun happen at Summer Solstice, there is always that tinge of sadness as the light diminishes. At Winter Solstice things are on the up!
Yes, there is still the coldest part of the winter to endure, but it feels like we have broken the back of the journey towards the lighter part of the year; to be confirmed at Imbolc, of course!
Whenever I think of the Winter Solstice Sun I think of my dear friend Terry, officiating at the Avebury Free & Open Gorsedd. He’d talk about our ancestors’ experience of welcoming the Sun and always say “and if the Sun doesn’t come up, it’s all over!” with a chuckle. It still makes me smile.
What are your plans for today and tomorrow? Are you going to observe sunrise tomorrow?
If you ever need local sunrise and sunset times most weather apps include them for each day.
Wishing you all a very beautiful Solstice. Be well.
NEXT - Greeting the Sun After the Longest Night
NEXT - Pagan Holidays: Yule - Midwinter
NEXT - Fabulous Folklore: Mince Pies
NEXT - Lupercalia: A Look at Valentine's Day
“Aren’t you frightened?” asked the beast.
“Not really” said Tom, handing him a cup of tea. The bogeyman drank the piping hot tea too quickly, causing a searing pain in his throat. He crumpled the tin mug and threw it at Tom, who immediately deflected the mug with a pair of pincers. The mug ricocheted into the mouth of the bogeyman, knocking out several teeth. The creature howled in pain and ran out the door.
Just as Tom caught his breath another appeared. Twice the size and with two heads!
“Aren’t you frightened?” asked the beast.
“Not really” said Tom, offering him a cup of tea from one of his other mugs. In true bogeyman fashion he guzzled down the drink, launched the tin at Tom who immediately batted the thing back; slamming it into one face before it ricocheted off into the other, knocking out several pointy teeth from each head. The double-headed beast howled and ran off.
Before Tom could wonder what would happen next, a large hairy hand appeared down the chimney breast, feeling its way around the hearth. Without hesitation, he struck the hand with his hammer, causing a loud howl. The hand disappeared.
Gathering his things up, Tom understood that he needed to get out of there as quickly as possible.
Two large hands suddenly lifted the roof off the tower, and three ugly heads on one set of shoulders peered down.
“Eh up!” said the bogeyman. “Aren’t you frightened?”
“Not really” said Tom “But I’ve run out of tea, so I’m just popping home to get some more, and then we can all have a nice cuppa together!”
Tom scurried out of the door, tripping over a large tail which he quickly nailed to the floor so that the bogeyman couldn’t follow. He ran all the way home and vowed never again to return to Rats Castle.
NEXT - Fabulous Folklore: Black Anna
NEXT - Fabulous Folklore: A Personal Spooky Story
NEXT - Fabulous Folklore: The Tulip Piskies
There’s no better way to celebrate autumn than by grabbing a blanket, a cuppa and the latest edition of Sunflower Journal (@sunflowerjournalmag)
The only way I can describe this publication is utterly enchanting. It gently takes you through the seasons, providing articles for celebration and reflection, with a sprinkle of seasonal crafts.
The Autumn 2022 issue has several delicious recipes ~ Apple and Caramel Cupcakes did NOT escape my eye ~ plus all sorts of Autumn Equinox and Samhain joy.
Thank you, Carmen Rose, for sending this - I think it’s your best issue yet!
What are you waiting for? Grab a copy of Sunflower Journal for some seasonal cheer and let it keep you company as the days get colder and darker.
NEXT - Review: The Bewitching by Jill Dawson
My dear Terry, tomorrow it will be a year since you left this world to walk another. There is not a single day that goes past where I don’t think of you. The tears still come so easily. In fact, it gets worse as time goes on. But I know you would smile softly at me, your gentle eyes twinkling, and pat my hand, and tell me that this is just the cycle of life.
Your passing has brought heartbreak, and other losses. I think you would be sad at that, but as a Druid, you understood the terribly complex nature of humans and the world. Which is why you had so much love to give.
I think back to one very wet and windy Samhain night in your living room. I can’t remember which year it was, and I chide myself for not writing all these things down; for not drinking in every last detail as if we would all die tomorrow. Your passing has shown me how much I take for granted, and how I yearn to spend more time with my friends even though time, energy and money are obstacles that stand in my way. I know that when my time comes this will be one of my greatest regrets. That night you left me in charge of roasting the chestnuts, and as they cooked we sat, drinking and chatting, and making merry ‘til the early hours with the people we love. They were happy times; I felt I belonged somewhere, and I often go back to this memory.
I think of the love you spread at countless handfastings. At those of people I didn’t know, at Jax and Mark’s, at my own. You held my hand from the starting point of my pilgrimage. At this point you were less mobile and I can’t help but stifle a laugh at the thought of tiny me trying to help you climb over a locked gate! You were a huge, broad man! We stopped at the heartbreak stone, where you had me cast away anything or anyone that would get in the way of my union. You gave me time and space for contemplation and consideration, and to do this properly. You were ready to assist me again only when I was.
I think of the many Gorsedds you held that I attended with Jane and friends. I smile warmly at the memory of you and I listening to Folk on the radio in your car before we headed into The Old Ford for our moot.
I think of you, Susan, Justin and I sat in your garden that hot Summer Solstice while you waited to be interviewed by Antoines de Caunes. It was so lovely to spend time together. You got Justin to cut the path at the back of your house so that we could walk the field to the stones. Justin got burns on his legs, not realising that most of it was hogweed, and getting no warning from you, the Druid! He bore those burns for weeks! Despite Justin’s discomfort, this memory still makes me laugh. That was a special day, hot and hazy. There was something special between you two; an understanding that you were similar men with shared experiences. You adored each other.
That afternoon I found an injured shrew that stayed with me. It was totally possible to take it into the kitchen without a thought and get it water - such was yours and Susan’s hospitality. I had a thing for your bathroom, I would always spend longer in there than necessary. What would a druids bathroom look like, you might wonder. Yours had clouds on the ceiling and green landscapes on the walls. You only let the closest people stay in your home, and I am grateful for all the times you and Susan honoured me in that way. A magickal cosy room, filled with books and cobwebs. A tiny window, a small mirror, a comfy bed. I was grateful to use that room to get ready for my handfasting. You were old fashioned and believed that women should wear skirts and dresses, but these old fashioned views also meant that you believed a bride should have somewhere to get ready, and so the cosy room was mine. Thank you, my friend.
We spent a lot of time eating dinner. Many a meal was had at The Red Lion. We’d shout you, and in return you’d sit and sip your ale and recount all sorts of funny stories and snippets of information. The first time you met Justin was early November 2013. I threw a Samhain dinner party, timed as such so that your Samhain Druid duties would be done. You gave me strict dinner instructions, despite me being well aware of the fact you wouldn’t eat anything green. The rest of us were eating red Thai curry with rice and crackers, you had your favourite. Sausages. Not too herby. With mash and carrots. I remember feeling proud that my friend The Big Hairy Druid not only ate it all, but enjoyed it. I was so proud because you were so important to me. You slept on my sofa that night and had breakfast with us, too. Special days I will cherish forever.
I could go on and on with the stories, I have many memories and for that I know I am truly blessed. Sometimes I sense you around me. Usually when I’m outside and the wind is blowing. I sense you on the wind ~ in the rustle of the bushes and in the movement of the trees. You are in the wildflowers and in the orange morning light. You are there when the Sun goes down, and you attend my magick circle bringing all the love and wisdom of my magickal ancestors.
You are there when I think “I’d love to show Terry this.” You inhabit my waking thoughts, and bring peace when I feel alone. I can’t thank you enough for being one of the good souls inhabiting my world, and I’ll honour you by trying to be the best person I can and by enjoying my life to the full.
You shall never be forgotten. Your name will ring out amongst Pagans, Druids and Friends for many years to come.
In much love and respect, Terry, until we meet again.
