New Year

All one's moments gather to a wave

Passing in a rolling swell of tears,

Passions too immense to name or save.

Yet New Year's is a crest on which to sing,

Now poised between the future and the past.

Each awaits what course the fates may bring,

Winds that never touch the things that last.

Years turn and turn with an hypnotic grace

Even as the depths of life lie still.

Although above one cannot silence face,

Remember that below the divers will.

anonymous

Holiday

Hannukkah Blessing verse I

Borukh Ato Adoynoy

Eloyheynu Melekh Ho-oylom

Asher Kiddeshonu Be-mitsvoysov

Ve-tsivonu Lehadlik Neyr Shel khanuko

Bessings to everyone this season,

Peace.

Winter

Winter Solstice, is the time the sun reaches the Tropic of Capricorn. It occurs the first day of Winter. On this day (December 21 or 22) in the northern hemisphere the sun is farthest south and the length of time between sunrise and sunset is the shortest of the year. In the pagan tradition the solstice is also know as Yuletide, Alban or the Arthanthis holiday and is celebrated as the rebirth of the Great God who is viewed as the newborn solstice sun. Traditionally one would light a Yule log. It's lighted on the eve of the solstice (it should light on the first try) and must be kept burning for twelve hours, for good luck. It should be made of ash. As time passed the Yule log was replaced by the Yule tree but, instead of burning it, burning candles were placed on it. Evergreen, holly, ivy and the mistletoe were important plants of the season, all symbolizing fertility and everlasting life. Mistletoe was especially venerated by the Celtic Druids, who cut it with a golden sickle on the sixth night of the moon, and believed it to be an aphrodisiac. (Magically -- not medicinally! It's highly toxic!) Other customs of the holiday include weaving 'Brigit's crosses' from straw or wheat to hang around the house for protection, performing rites of spiritual cleansing and purification, making 'Brigit's beds' to ensure fertility of mind and spirit (and body, if desired), and making Crowns of Light (i.e. of candles) for the High Priestess to wear for the Candlemas Circle, similar to those worn on St. Lucy's Day in Scandinavian countries.

Happy Solstice may your Winter be warmth of hearth and spirit.

Peace to all,

Miss. S.

Solance

Solance

Solace did I seek within your arms,

and haven calm you were

when all around us raged the night

and seas as high as mountains

threatened with their roar.

Enfoldment of silence

and a stillness born of ages

did I feel from you,

so patient your acceptance of my tears and

of my youth,

you questioned not,

just stroked my hair,

your breath the tides,

the hush of nightwind

caught in stately elms

oh how you soothed me,

healed me of the days -

In your remembrance,

a gust of rain

the window holds at bay.

Silvia Hartmann

First Snow of the Year

Time for a hike

My Bright Light

Cisco

October 10, 1995 - December 2,2008

I will always love you my dearest.