This is the Winter Solstice Eve – The Solstice is Monday, December 21, 2015 at 6:49 PM HAST – but I will be winging my way to Pago Pago – where it will be Summer Solstice. What a day to travel. Shortest day to longest day.
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, Super Saturday, 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.
Leaving around noon tomorrow for Pago Pago, American Samoa. At my age, this could be my last great adventure. I know this is some sort of “whistling past the graveyard” thing. My version of a facelift. Trying to hang on to who I was 50 years ago. Wish me luck, Carlton. Back in the 808 around 8AM December 29,
Don’t know if I’ll be able to update the blog. Or do facebook. Or even email.
UPDATE: I just found this report from the American Samoa EPA.
The American Samoa Environmental Protection Agency (AS-EPA) wishes to inform the public that on December 16, 2015 the following recreational beaches were found to be contaminated with enterococci bacteria levels that exceed AS-EPA Water Quality Standards:
East:
Gataivai Beach
Yacht club, Utulei Beach
Utulei Beach
Fagatogo Stream
Afono Stream
Vatia Stream
Aua Stream
Aua A/M video
Lauli’i Stream
Alega Beach
Fagaitua Stream
Masausi Stream
Amouli Beach
Tula Beach
Onenoa Beach
West:
Amanave Beach
Asili Stream
Leone Pala
Taputimu, Leala Beach
The public should not swim, wade, or fish within 400 feet of these polluted beaches. This advisory is in effect until further sampling and laboratory analyses indicate that enterococci concentrations are within water quality standards.
Water that contains excessive concentrations of enterococci bacteria is correlated with swimming-associated gastrointestinal diseases. Enterococci bacteria reside in the intestines of warm-blooded animals. Their presence in water indicates contamination by human and/or animal wastes. Swimmers in polluted water are at risk for many waterborne diseases, some of which may cause serious illness.
Note: AS-EPA laboratory monitors the water quality of 44 recreational beaches on Tutuila, the wharf in Aunu’u, and five beaches on Manu’a. Tutuila advisories are issued weekly.
So what you say? So what is that the 3rd Beach on that list is where my hotel is located. It has a nice collection of coral. I was planning on spending lots of time snorkeling around right outside my door. Now, it seems that I should not even walk outside of my hotel door.
I was kicking myself for not finding the sooner – but, the Dec 10th list didn’t include “my” beach. I figure that Dec 24th is as soon as the list will be updated. If then, being Xmas. No swimming allowed on Sunday. And, I assume no swimming on Xmas Day either. SO… this is no longer an ocean oriented vacation. I hung my wetsuit back up in my closet and removed my fins from the backpack. That will sort of remove the temptation to do something really stupid. I am taking my mask, snorkel, and booties. So, if things work out, I can take a little snorkel – but, it will not be the focus of the trip.
Whatever happens is what I planned.