Celebrating the Land Suggestions of ways to celebrate the land and annual cycles of life
Winter Solstice 1 – The Dark A few degrees, a slightly raised temperature, and the ice trapped water is released to flow again. Frozen snow and frost has cleared and another water phase dominates the landscape – drizzle. An all pervading mist that builds droplets at the end of thin branches in gloomy light, nothing revealed, all motionless dense fog. Birds chatter, not with the joy of sun and light, but with the small messages of 'we made it through the worse of the weather', time to rest after the ordeal of the freeze. By their twittering, each knows the other is there. It will not be a smooth transition to spring. There is likely to be more freeze and snow, yet now there is a respite, a platform on which to relax, in the move on to longer days. And so it is inside the house. We have struggled through the snow and enjoyed the colourful joy of Christmas, mid-winter feasts and Winter Solstice, the candles lit, the fire warming. We waken in the dark. Under the blanket of the unknown the day begins and ends. 8am. Outside, doors close noisily and a car starts. A dog barks. The blackbird sets up its alarm call. A blue tit chirrups a tuneful melody, calming everything. Another darkness swings high over the land as black feathered crows move from night to daytime roost. Awkward sudden calls break through the damp air as they head down hill towards the river banks. They cannot see each other. It is impossible, except as the car swishes by the hedge and for a moment two beams of light sweep the scene. Participating in the morning another, concealed in darkness, does not communicate its presence. Hidden in the undergrowth an early morning hunting cat, camouflaged black and white, uses the cover to search for prey. But, being a domestic pet, this cat is not a danger to the high branch perch of the small birds, and they continue to sing. Images of Winter Darkness Darkness brings an opportunity for quiet. And so at this time we do not celebrate with song, candle, dance or any activity. We celebrate the land in quiet. Take a dark coloured or black sheet of paper. On it with chalk, probably white, draw the outline of your hand. In the area of the palm of your hand draw a winter scene with the chalk.