A very cool thing is about to happen on December 21. It marks the coming of Winter: Winter Solstice, the longest night of the year. The changing of the seasons, an ancient time of celebration. Welcome Winter!
But you know what else? There will also be a total lunar eclipse on December 21st. Well, really tonight! The eclipse begins at 1:33 in the morning, eastern time. Very cool. NASA says having the total lunar eclipse occur on Winter Solstice has only happened once since year 1. Once! And that was on the Winter Solstice 1638. Yes, it will happen again in 2094, but I don’t imagine I’ll be around to see it. What a great reason to stay awake.
I have meant to write to tell you how delicious your Orzo recipe is! I took it to our church potluck and what a hit! How about sharing your Lentil Soup recipe? Loved this post! Keep up the good work. You stretch my mind! Happy Solstice!
A girl of the South, I live in Wi now..we have snow and biting cold, but we also have an incredible view of the sky. It feels like the stars will bump your nose at any moment.
Solistice is important..it gets dark here at 4 pm..
To celebrate, we’ll go out with the dogs, walk around the pond and prairie, listen to Lake Michigan roar, savor the starlight and know that the seasons are unfolding as they should.
Amen to you! And Merry Christmas too!
Me too! I had never heard of a Winter Solstice celebration until a few years back. I find it to be a meaningful ADDITION to our Christmas celebrations. Merry Christmas!! I love your pieces.
I am so moved by this post. I thank you for writing it.
Love the quote — they will know we are Christians by our love (and tolerance). I didn’t know much about Winter Solstice either until my new age granddaughters moved up here and one is living with us. But, I am keeping an open mind on the celebration and love the idea of celebrating the changing of the seasons. It’s all God’s creation and to enjoy every part of it and the divine hand that separated the seasons into 4 distinct ones, is worthy to celebrate. We will probably just enjoy each other and reminisce of past memories of this time of year when our family was young and home, by candlelight!! Merry Christmas to your family!
OH my goodness! Am I dreaming? Do other women enjoy these activities? Many many years ago I got together with a small group of free-spirited female friends. We reserved the local indoor pool (after hours, with appropriate FEMALE lifeguard). We turned off most lights and put candles all around the pool. Most of us removed bathing suits upon entering the water. We celebrated changing of the season into Winter; we drank a little wine; we celebrated Rosa Parks and other brave women we admired; one lady brought a DRUM to poolside and gave a little rhythm to the songs we sang (in and out of harmony). When it was time to close, we prayed for each other and gave thanks for those who went before us so that our night of celebration was now possible.
This may not sound too interesting to all of you, but it is a night I will never forget.
Thanks for reviving a wonderful memory.
What a wonderful experience! I was raised Catholic as well and now that I am older, (just celebrated 55, whooheee!), I crave and protect my sacred and holy times. Winter solstice and Christmas go hand in hand in my book. Some of my new and closest friends are the energy, spritualist types. I have learned so much from them. I believe God gave us winter to rest and reflect. I am planning a lot of that this season. Blessings to all!
OK- so here in central Ohio- as usual there was no way to see the eclipse through the clouds. Although my understanding duaghter was MORE THAN ready to be awakened in case there was a chance. I love the idea of celebrating the seasons- it is yet another way to CELEBRATE the HOLYDAYS that are among us. Yes we are Catholic as well, I may be able to get the horses to hang with me out in the cold tonight- but will get some heavy eye-rolling from sighing from teh rest of the family. Proud of you for making it important.
Loved the post and the videos except the small part in the tree video where the SNAKE makes an appearance!!
Thank you for sharing hour winter solstice experiences with us – they were enjoyable. This is my favorite day of the year since from this day on I know the days will be getting longer each day!I love the slower pace of life that winter brings. It gives me the time to reflect, create and plan for the return of the sun in Spring. Merry Christmas to you and your family, and thank you for all of your wonderful blogs during the year – they are a joy!
Rebecka,Love you so much,You seem to say the things I needed to hear today,and a while back you said something I loved,Fallen from Grace or fallen for Grace,and I needed that so bad,and I just want to tell you that I love you and am glad that you had a merry holiday Winter Solitice!Keep up the excellent writing!Carol Branum
I’m late in saying so, but wanted to say this post is wonderful. How very touching. Thank you.
Hi . . . This is my first time reading your blog. You can put your money on it, i will be back. What i really like is that you are not far right and you are not far left; you are somewhere in the middle with most of us. Your mind is open enough to not only tolerate but accept the strangeness in a lot of us and to encourage the stability in the rest of us. I just admire the way you respect Hubs, but somehow work it out so that he will participate and have a good time while doing so. Now, as far as i can tell, my money is on you!!!