Today is the Winter Solstice and it is the shortest day and longest night. The last couple of days here in the UK have been very foggy and cold and this has prevented many from reaching their destinations as flights have been cancelled leaving thousands stranded at airports. Here in Bristol by lunchtime the sun was out and I have just seen the most beautiful sunset. It's still not dark at 4 pm which has actually given us a longer than usual day but I'm not complaining as I hate the short days.
Researching tells me Winter Solstice is also known as Yule, Christmas, and Saturnalia, occurs in mid December. It celebrates the birth of the new Solar year and the beginning of Winter. The Goddess manifests as the Great Mother and the God as the Sun Child. The God also appears as Santa Claus and Old Man Winter. Colours are Red, Green, and White. This is a festival of inner renewal. Strengthen bonds with family and friends by visiting and/or exchanging gifts and greetings. Decorate your home with lights, greens, and holiday colours. Bless your home with a Yule wreath on your front door and sprigs of mistletoe inside.
So this is the day I decided to post a picture of our Christmas Tree. You will not be able to see clearly but we have an angel rather than a fairy on top of the tree and a few of the decorations, such as the lanterns, are very old. Some decorations have been made by my grandchildren, who normally decorate the tree for me if they arrive early enough. This year they will be arriving on Christmas Eve and it's fingers crossed there are no delays with fights from Dublin on that day.
I know we still have a few days to go (thank goodness because I still have a lot to do) but I do have a turkey now so there's one thing off the list of last minute shopping.
Tonight I am going out to dinner so need to get ready; it takes me a long time to decide what to wear I will probably try on several things and end up wearing the first thing I tried on what's the saying 'I used to be indecisive but now I'm not sure' that just about sums me up.
The thought of a few more moments of daylight tomorrow is already helping to lift the winter gloom and this doting grandmother is happily anticipating the arrival of her grandchildren as well as her daughter and son-in-law of course.
Labels: Winter Solstice
