Welcome Solstice
Happiest Solstice wishes to everyone...
Though I must admit, with recent news of oil spills in Alaska and now Egypt, in addition to that big one in the Gulf, and the ongoing spills in Western Africa; fire raging in Arizona and violent storms here in New England... *happy* is not quite the word that jumps to mind. In fact I am very much overwhelmed by the destruction these days.
But still, Solstice being solstice, there is a little celebration in my heart for things that remain "very right"; such as baby grapes making their appearance on the backyard vine, and good mama earth bedecking herself in the jewels of every shade of flower she can find. The sky here is a most brilliant blue, with marvelous cumulus clouds building themselves into all sorts of wild, puffy shapes. And happily, it is not quite as humid, though the day is as hot as one would expect in the summertime.
I've been daydreaming quite a lot about this holiday for the past week, seeking a way to best express what it means to me both in story to my son and activity in my celebrations. And once again, I find myself surprised by the gifts of my subconscious: like the armload of fairy lore books that called out to me at the library; or the walk in the sun I found myself enjoying after errands at the stroke of noon, purely by happy coincidence; or the handful of cilantro I gathered for lunch, shortly before reading a naptime story to my boy that highlighted that gathering herbs on midsummer's day insured in them an increased magical, healing potency. Once again, I am quite the accidental pagan in my celebrations, with the bright sense that "someone out there" is really looking out for me.
Or maybe, she is just deep within-- this knowing, this able follower of good intuition, of something far older than herself...
The day remained a bright one, and I celebrated in it:
...an inspiring bit of sunshine peeking through the front window
...and a little more of the same, through the paperweight holding down my boy's glitter painting
...wonderful light cast all throughout the house
...herbal flowers from the garden to honor Bride and bless our kitchen
...and a feast of cranberry-walnut salad, herbal scones, quinoa & asparagus with pine nuts, fresh snap peas, and wine!
I hope you enjoyed your day as well, by the grace of our ancestors and the brightness of our most favorite star.
Though I must admit, with recent news of oil spills in Alaska and now Egypt, in addition to that big one in the Gulf, and the ongoing spills in Western Africa; fire raging in Arizona and violent storms here in New England... *happy* is not quite the word that jumps to mind. In fact I am very much overwhelmed by the destruction these days.
But still, Solstice being solstice, there is a little celebration in my heart for things that remain "very right"; such as baby grapes making their appearance on the backyard vine, and good mama earth bedecking herself in the jewels of every shade of flower she can find. The sky here is a most brilliant blue, with marvelous cumulus clouds building themselves into all sorts of wild, puffy shapes. And happily, it is not quite as humid, though the day is as hot as one would expect in the summertime.
I've been daydreaming quite a lot about this holiday for the past week, seeking a way to best express what it means to me both in story to my son and activity in my celebrations. And once again, I find myself surprised by the gifts of my subconscious: like the armload of fairy lore books that called out to me at the library; or the walk in the sun I found myself enjoying after errands at the stroke of noon, purely by happy coincidence; or the handful of cilantro I gathered for lunch, shortly before reading a naptime story to my boy that highlighted that gathering herbs on midsummer's day insured in them an increased magical, healing potency. Once again, I am quite the accidental pagan in my celebrations, with the bright sense that "someone out there" is really looking out for me.
Or maybe, she is just deep within-- this knowing, this able follower of good intuition, of something far older than herself...
The day remained a bright one, and I celebrated in it:
...an inspiring bit of sunshine peeking through the front window
...and a little more of the same, through the paperweight holding down my boy's glitter painting
...wonderful light cast all throughout the house
...herbal flowers from the garden to honor Bride and bless our kitchen
...and a feast of cranberry-walnut salad, herbal scones, quinoa & asparagus with pine nuts, fresh snap peas, and wine!
I hope you enjoyed your day as well, by the grace of our ancestors and the brightness of our most favorite star.