Winter Solstice

~ Ashley

3 vivid cool - winter solstice

Photograph and hokku by Ashley

In the old Celtic world, the Cosmic wheel, the Wheel of Time, briefly stopped turning on this day.  The Winter Solstice, the shortest day of the year is a time to look backwards in inner reflection and to look forwards to a new season of increasing daylight, growth and activity.  Whilst we might still have winter weather and winter difficulties to overcome, it is important to see this time as a rebirth within the continuous cycle of life.

Two trees associated with this time of year are birch and pine and I can now add these to my set of Tree Ogham sticks.

6 birch & pine winter solstice

The first tree in the Ogham is Silver Birch, BEITH. B (Betula pendula) a tree that quickly colonises new ground.  It drops so many leaves and twigs that they enrich the soil for other trees to follow.  A tree of life giving properties.

The sixteenth tree in the Ogham is a fir, the Scots Pine, AILM. A (Pinus sylvestris).  It has been honoured since ancient times in helping us to develop the perceptions and wisdom to see beyond the present.

Again, I give thanks to Glennie Kindred for allowing me to freely quote from her book Sacred Earth Celebrations which can be found on her website:

https://www.glenniekindred.co.uk/

Ashley

40 thoughts on “Winter Solstice”

  3. Thanks for the info about these trees and the book from Glennie.
    May I wish you a great Holiday Season and a happy solstice.
    From now on the daylight period will grow longer again 🙂

    Reply

    1. Dear Marina, thank you. In a south facing border in my garden I noticed some green shoots just breaking through the surface of the soil…snowdrops, I think. A sign of the new year. Merry Christmas 🎅🎄🙋‍♂️

      Reply

  7. Happy Solstice! I like your Tree Ogham sticks, Ashleaf! We’re half way through winter, now. The second half is usually colder, as Mother Earth tries to thaw out, slowly. Here comes the sun! We begin a new year, a new revolution around Sol…more light each day!

    Reply

    1. Many thanks, Edo-san. It is always good to hear from you. We’re all looking forward to more sunshine & less rain! This is surely, the best of days! 🎄🙋‍♂️

      Reply

    1. Thank you, dear Rosaliene. Exactly, think anew! I noticed today that in a south facing border in my garden there were green shoots just poking up through the soil. Looking forward to snowdrops. 🌷🎄🎅

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    1. Thank you, Ute, it is indeed a special day, one I love not just for the return of the light but I always feel re-energised around this time! 🤗🎄🎅

      Reply

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