When the sun shines on the Winter Solstice
It will wash the dark away, wash away the shortest day, longest night
and then the new begins anew … again!
Happy Solstice, Merry Christmas, Happy 12 Days of Christmas, Happy New Year’s Eve and Happy 2021!
Time for the yule log, keeping the fires burning for the 12 days, drumming, celebrating … and what was Solstice really all about to our ancestors? The Winter Solstice marked the rebirth of the sun after the shortest day, yes, and it falls between two major fire festivals Samhain (sow-een) or Halloween and Imbolc (St. Brigid’s Day – February 1st the day our ancestors celebrated the first day of Spring :). What about Newgrange, in County Meath, where an ancient tomb covered with beautiful artwork remains in darkness for much of the year? The spiral symbols can be seen at this Newgrange site and, once a year, on the Winter Solstice, the tomb fills with light to reveal the beautiful artwork on the walls.
The history steeped in mystery. At this darkest time of the year, are we meant to go within to see our own light and look for the shadow that dares encroach upon it? Keeping the home fires burning is a reminder to keep our inner flame stoked and to bring out our own Excalibur sword. Remember Brigid’s silver mantle of light? Check out the Celtic Wonder Tales by Irish poet and scholar Ella Young for the original Celtic Creation Story. As a scholar, Ella’s translation of the ancient Irish texts are cumbersome, yet the story within is fantastic! If you have my new book, Thank Our Lucky Stones, you can read some of her translations there; if you’d like a link to a free Ebook of Thank Our Lucky Stones, email me and I’ll send it back to you … winter solstice gift of the day 🙂
Excalibur The Sword of Truth
Yes, Arthur’s sword of Truth comes much later, but remains very important to inner Solstice celebrations. Can it be that our soul purpose is to shine bright light into the shadow areas and into the blackness? Not only in our external world, but inside. Excalibur is here to teach us that it is the Sword of Truth and that Truth is something that you know in your heart. Truth is that you are that spark of light at the very centre of your being, even if it is surrounded by darkness, and at any moment, the thought of Excalibur can slash away that darkness when you look inside.
Celebrating the Winter Solstice begins now – truly a time to celebrate making it through this trying first year of the new decade; this is the time, at this darkest time of year, to remember that Excalibur is always with you; we all carry our own Sword of Truth. By looking back to see what our ancestors’ traditions symbolized, you can share with other people what you know and be brave and learn about what you don’t yet know. We are all in this together 🙂
PS. Going into 2021, I choose to think about the positive: ‘Count your blessings and more will come’ (gratitude of ancestors)
and ‘This great big light of mine, I’m gonna let it shine…’ All the best to all of you and big love hugs all around!Good luck with your inspiration, and MAY THE AWEN be upon you!
PPS.
Was going to put a pic of Ella Young here when I saw this photo…
Let Us Rock This Year 2021 … here we come!
Celtic Wonder-Tales
from Ella Young’s Celtic Wonder-Tales, published in 1910. This is my summary of Ella’s translation of the creation story and where I first learned of Manannan from the Isle of Man and Midyir and all the magical awesomeness in ancient Celtic legends of gods and goddesses … Some of this translation appears in my little stone book: Thank Our Lucky Stones!
When they got here, they decided: “Let’s stay here and make beautiful things so the Earth will be glad.”
Here’s to the Earth being glad and Happy New Year!
Make Your Heart Sing with The One Third Formula!
And in 2021, I am hosting my webinarJam online course in January and February 2021 … great time to sign up now! Or gift the three-part course (3 Tuesdays in a row in January and 3 Wednesdays in a row in February 2021, as a prelude to Making Your Heart Sing events in the Spring/Summer 2021. Check out our 9thwave videos on the YouTube channel! You can do this! Set yourself up to have a fantastic 2021 by learning about making your heart sing on demand! Yippee Ki YAY!