winter solstice

Winter Solstice 2025

~ Ashley ~ 34 Comments 

Mid winter;
Reflecting the growing light,
Silver Birch.

Today, the 21st December, is the Winter Solstice, and in celebration of this day, I turn to a special tree, the birch.  Silver Birch (Betula pendula), although having a relatively short lifespan, perhaps up to one hundred years, will grow quickly if left alone and transform an open landscape into a woodland.

In the Celtic Tree Ogham, it is the first tree, Beith. B  and is known for its life-giving properties, its vitality, its nourishment of the ground in which it grows and therefore, in our human world, we think of new beginnings and new opportunities.

In Praise of Trees

This morning, this evening,
everyday;
in praise of our oldest companions,
and of the Earth;
sing, out loud!

Mother Earth,
we welcome the growing light
back into this bleak life;
the bright light
of hope.

To everyone who visits here, have a wonderful Winter Solstice, and I wish you all heart-happy good health for the new year and the new season.

Ashley

Winter Solstice

~ Ashley ~ 40 Comments

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