Woo-hoo it's the shortest day of the year!
For the first time it *really* occurs to me that the shortest day of the year also means the longest night of the year, which changes my perception of the day. Previously I've always celebrated the Winter solstice for the extended light the next day brings. Now, it strikes me that the longest night of the year signifies cold and fear and danger. Or would have done were we still living in wooden huts in the middle ages. But, these festivals are about marking the physical changes of the year and the symbolism associated with them, so I think it's appropriate to discuss and consider the psychological aspects of the light and the dark.
I mention every year that I hate the Winter. I hate the cold, the dark and the general miserableness of it all. I love Yule and Christmas because it gives us an excuse to celebrate and it takes our mind off the horrible time of year. Having said that, it's been pretty mild recently. Thank you global warming. The trees in my back gardne only just dropped their final leaves and the birds didn't return to the garden for the birdseed and fats until about 2 weeks ago. They just haven't needed to, there has been plenty of other food for them in the wild. I haven't seen or heard a hint of Waxwings in Norfolk yet.
Christmas decorations went up a couple of weeks ago. I haven't yet put up my Yule decorations, I'll do that tomorrow, once I've worked out where everything else can go. We do however have a Ratotosk in the Christmas tree:
Now I want to get a Nidhog-dragon for the bottom of the tree and an Eagle for the top.
Lastly, I leave you with a link to the Norse mythology blog for the winners of their Midwinter art contest. There are some lovely pieces in there.
Merry Yule everybody!
For the first time it *really* occurs to me that the shortest day of the year also means the longest night of the year, which changes my perception of the day. Previously I've always celebrated the Winter solstice for the extended light the next day brings. Now, it strikes me that the longest night of the year signifies cold and fear and danger. Or would have done were we still living in wooden huts in the middle ages. But, these festivals are about marking the physical changes of the year and the symbolism associated with them, so I think it's appropriate to discuss and consider the psychological aspects of the light and the dark.
I mention every year that I hate the Winter. I hate the cold, the dark and the general miserableness of it all. I love Yule and Christmas because it gives us an excuse to celebrate and it takes our mind off the horrible time of year. Having said that, it's been pretty mild recently. Thank you global warming. The trees in my back gardne only just dropped their final leaves and the birds didn't return to the garden for the birdseed and fats until about 2 weeks ago. They just haven't needed to, there has been plenty of other food for them in the wild. I haven't seen or heard a hint of Waxwings in Norfolk yet.
Christmas decorations went up a couple of weeks ago. I haven't yet put up my Yule decorations, I'll do that tomorrow, once I've worked out where everything else can go. We do however have a Ratotosk in the Christmas tree:
Now I want to get a Nidhog-dragon for the bottom of the tree and an Eagle for the top.
Lastly, I leave you with a link to the Norse mythology blog for the winners of their Midwinter art contest. There are some lovely pieces in there.
Merry Yule everybody!
