Winter Solstice greetings to all!

Happy Solstice! And welcome back, sun!

The Winter Solstice “occurs exactly when the Earth’s axial tilt is farthest away from the sun at its maximum of 23° 26′. Though the winter solstice lasts only a moment in time, the term is also a turning point to midwinter or the first day of winter.”

That moment will occur at UTC 5:30 today or 11:30 p.m. Central Time (GMT -6), which is my time zone. Editors Note: The solstice arrives when the earth is aligned in a specific way, not when the page flips on a calendar created by humans. And the thoughts and feelings of Winter Solstice are timeless so these greetings need no refreshing.

To my pagan friends, my agnostic and atheist friends, my Christian friends and all who cherish the earth and follow her cycles, I wish you a Blessed Solstice.

Where I live the sunsets are in the south now. In the summer I can’t see them because the view to the northwest is obstructed. But in between the equinoxes, the goddess gives me the sunsets to provide solace while I wait for the light and warmth to return.

I will leave you with a some pictures and a song.

First, NASA provided this spectacular time lapse photo of the winter sun.

Second, this video was chosen for the song and the pictures both: the pictures especially for my daughter who was told last year that the Solstice Fairy is not real. 😯

What is real, however, is the spirit of giving that the Solstice Fairy is a symbol for … a giving that goes beyond material gifts but includes giving the best of ourselves to each other. With love, understanding and patience.

Music by Lisa Thiel
Vid by WiccaNoita

LYRICS:

Chorus:
Enter the night and you’ll find the light,
That will carry you to your dreams.
Enter the night, let your spirit take flight,
In the field of infinite possibilities

On the longest night we search for the light,
And we find it deep within.
Open your eyes to embrace what is wise,
And see the light of your own soul shining.

(Chorus)
Wrap up in the cloak of starry darkness my child,
And you’ll find the center of all things.
For from this space of the deepest dark place,
Life Eternal does spring.

(Chorus)
So when you find that spark
When you dream in the dark,
Hold it close to your heart and know.
All that you see is all that can be
When you give birth to the dreams of your soul.

(Chorus)