“In the bleak mid-winter,
Frosty winds made moan,
Earth stood hard as iron,
Water like a stone
Snow had fallen,
snow on snow,
snow on snow,
In the bleak mid-winter,
Long ago.”
-Christina Rossetti
Solstice
When the earth’s tilt of its axis points away from the sun, at its maximum distance the sun will appear to rise and set at the same position for several days, it’s the closest distance to the horizon as it will ever be. This is the ‘solstice’ meaning ‘sun stand still’. In the northern hemisphere, it is the longest night and shortest day of the year signaling the beginning of an increase of daylight as the days start getting longer. Known as the Winter Solstice, it has the most rituals associated with it in the world dating back some 30,000 years, mostly rooted in ancient religions.
Stone structures like Stonehenge in England and Newgrange in Ireland were built and set to capture the first rays of the newborn sun on this sacred day, usually falling on December 21st. This is the age-old ritual of light over darkness, good over evil.
“The winter solstice is a celebration of our spirit being reborn and transformed from inner darkness into light. Spiritually, it is symbolic of allowing the darker shadow side of our personality to come out, to be acknowledged and to be transformed as it heals.” – Patty Kikos
Newgrange
Believed to be an entrance to the Otherworld, Tir na Sorcha, the land of light, Newgrange was a fairy-mound where the Tuatha De Danann lived. It’s also known as the “cave of the sun”, uaimh na greine in Gaelic. It is also the largest earthen chamber in Europe and oldest at over 5000 years.
On the morning of the 21st, the first rays of the sun penetrate an underground 60 ft long narrow shaft for 17 minutes, illuminating the triple-spiral triskele, which is a carving at the furthest wall of the chamber said to contain the Philosophers’ Stone.
Light of the World
The light in the chamber at the time the sun’s rays hit the shaft can be a ritual of fertility or for a bountiful harvest now that the days are getting longer, the light overcoming the darkness.
Looking deeper in the Book of Genesis we see the ”word” known as the ”logos” known as the “light.” And God created the sun and moon and stars on Day Four but on Day One He said “let there be light” and this light is the mystical light of pure consciousness prevalent everywhere. This is our Buddha nature, Christ consciousness, the light of the radiance of the Virgin Mary, the light called a Star of Bethlehem.
Since light doesn’t show itself, only what it illuminates… consciousness is the same way, it only shows what it affects, it experiences, it creates… not itself. It is light and consciousness that have created all we see and don’t see and to which we give thanks in our ceremonies and rituals of light.
“In winter we lead a more inward life. Our hearts are warm and cheery, like cottages under drifts, whose windows and doors are half concealed, but from whose chimneys the smoke cheerfully ascends.”
-Thoreau
“And still a light is shining from that land on down the hall. Maybe the Star of Bethlehem wasn’t a star at all.”
-Neil Young
©jc2016-9
i’m feeling a bit more illumined
having learned from your light, JC 🙂
LikeLiked by 4 people
And may we all share the light and learn from one another. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you for this post full of stillness and illumination. I love the way you combined the historical knowledge with our emotional experience of this period.
It must have been very frightening for our long ago ancestors when the light gradually disappeared, nothing grew……a feeling of being abandoned by the sun.
“Day One He said “let there be light” and this light is the mystical light of pure consciousness prevalent everywhere”. I had never thought of this before. It will live with me now as we celebrate the season of lights in so many ways.
the music is wonderful as is the video to go with it.
Have a wonderful Christmas
Mirja
LikeLiked by 4 people
Thanks, Mirja, yes, I like to read history but if I can make it exciting and not just full of dates.
That’s what I love about mythology, all those stories taught people lessons about life. Can you imagine sitting around the sacred fire and listening to your elders tell you myths about the place you lived?
And the idea of pure consciousness really spoke to me when I first heard it.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Absolutely fascinating post, JC – my mind boggles when reading about Newgrange. Just so taken with its mystical nature. I love all the quotes but particularly with Thoreau’s words. Interesting how your post develops into the inner world of ourselves, our light.
LikeLiked by 3 people
Thanks, Annika… yes there is a lot more about Newgrange and Stonehedge. The towns would build bonfires hoping the sun would return and there were sacrifices. Legend has it that King Authur himself will return when England really needs him and it might be from Newgrange. With all those Druids and Merlin hanging around, you never know.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Well…King Arthur better hurry in that case! 😀😀 This has really caught my imagination and I hope you don’t mind if I put a video link about Newgrange. It’s amazing to see.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, I love the video. I wonder if they allow people to spend the night there. That would be excelent!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Very nice post. The main character in my novel is named Sorcha 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, what a coincidence. It is a lovely name…
LikeLiked by 1 person
JC, I enjoyed reading this. I especially like how you’ve brought everything together as one idea manifested at different times for different purposes. Love the Thoreau quote.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thank you, I would like to think that Thoreau would like this since he too was of the same idea. Yes, the quote is pretty popular too.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Excellent post.
LikeLike
Thank you so much. Have a good day… jc
LikeLiked by 1 person
Beautiful skies! Lovely and lyrical post, too. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, I appreciate your compliment and for visiting my site. It’s always nice to hear kind words about my writing. I hope you have a good New Year.
LikeLike
Excellent meditation for a winter’s eve.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, I’d love to be there for the Winter Solstice.
LikeLiked by 1 person
What is that concept, if you wish it you can make it so?
LikeLiked by 1 person
The title of your poem caught my eye. My grand daughter is named Sorcha. Wonderful to see what can all be associated with her name. Thanks.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes, it’s a beatiful name, thanks… jc
LikeLike