Happy Solstice 2017

Maybe the last Xmas tree image of 2017 – or not

And here, once again is the traditional Solstice greeting that Carlton and I used for years. Even decades.

Wishing everyone the best of the festive season – no matter what it’s called at your house. In pagan traditions, the solstice is a time to put away the things of the old year and look forward to the new. One observance of the solstice involves extinguishing all the fires in your home before midnight on the eve of the solstice and lighting a new fire the next day. This probably won’t be quite as symbolic if you have central heating. Or if you are in Hawai’i.

The winter solstice falls on December 21 – the word solstice means “sun stopping.” The winter solstice is the day on which the sun reaches as far south of the equator as it gets, and is as such the shortest and darkest day of the year in the northern hemisphere. The solstice marks the rebirth of light for the coming spring.

The winter solstice also marks, among other things, the druid festival of Alban Arthuan – a time for bestowing gifts upon those less fortunate than ourselves. Out of this observance has grown the more popular tradition of gift-giving, Black Friday, Cyber Monday, maxed-out credit cards and 70% off sales. May the goddess be with you during this season – but don’t blame her if you get fruitcake again.

I am grateful for that which I have.
I am not sorrowful for that which I do not.
I have more than others, less than some,
I am blessed with what is mine.

Carlton and I did not celebrate Xmas. But, we did observe the solstice. Summer and Winter. 

The sun is out and the snow has stopped and its a toasty 23° – Welcome Winter.

As for me, I have been enjoying poor health today. No worse than yesterday. Maybe a little better. Treatment plan is still “rest, hot tea, ibuprofen”. But today the sun was out so I did some of my resting on my lanai. Also took a small walk.  

Only have round trip tickets to Brisbane and a train ticket from Perth to Sydney. And I am really tempted to “treat” myself to 3 days on Lizard Island. Heck, the whole trip is a treat for me. “Later” has officially become “If not now, when?”

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