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ancient ancestors
November 2009 
Gaia Holiday Gift! To Really Feel The Joy of the Solstice Turning
Posted on Dec 5th, 2008
by 
Dryad
Dryad
Father Winter Solstice
I have borrowed these exquisite images from Samme - who has many beautiful holiday images on his profile page right now as part of his gaiaholiday Gifting fun. This is my next gift! It is something that is going to happen anyway, but I am gifting everyone the ability to really feel it this year.
In the Northern Hemisphere the Winter Solstice occurs on December 21, 2008, 7:04 EST - 12:04 UT (Universal Time.) The Winter Solstice brings the shortest day of the year and the longest night. The year gets colder and colder, darker and darker, and then just when it seems that winter might last forever - comes the Solstice! and New Hope is Born! The word "Solstice" actually stems from "Sun Stand Still" as if the sun pauses, a big switch is flipped and the world turns again, the other way - toward the light. There are many different celebrations that come at this time of year which are based on light, many of these honoring the hope that light brings.
In some ways it amazes me that our ancient ancestors knew when to celebrate the Solstice - that they knew precisely when the world begins it's journey back to the light, back to the warmth, back toward spring. The truth is, our ancestors were much more in tune with the earth than we are; they were able to feel its nuances and changes.
I have been working for years to learn to feel the moon again, to know when She is full, waxing or waning, to feel it in my body the way all women once could. I have also begun to really be able to feel the turning of the year in my body. I know the Solstice is coming, I can feel it. I want to share this true feeling, a kind of deep joy, with all of you.
I want to share the reality of it, soon the days will begin to be longer, there will be more light. I want to share the metaphor of it. Let us believe that the sad, difficult, violent days are behind us that they will disappear with the dark. As this year turns toward the light, let us believe that better, kinder, brighter days are coming for our world as well. Let us embrace the hope of the light and believe in it's promise.
MAY YOU FEEL THE TURNING.
MAY YOU KNOW THE JOY !
MAY YOU BE FILLED WITH THE HOPE IT BRINGS!
MAY YOU KNOW THE JOY !
MAY YOU BE FILLED WITH THE HOPE IT BRINGS!
And our friends in the Southern Hemisphere are already in the middle of that sunshine and warmth! The Summer Solstice will happen in the Southern Hemisphere December 21, 10:04 EST. You'll have to wait until 2009 for your Winter Solstice - June 20 23:59 UT (Universal Time.) Summer Solstice Blessings to all of you!
Access: Public
Thank you for this wonderful writeup about summer and winter solstice Dryad.
Samme Solstice,
Samme