Welcome December! Today begins the countdown to the Winter Solstice, or Yule, as the ancients use to call it. The longest night and the shortest day of the year. In northern climates this is the darkest and coldest time of year. The sun seems weak, even dying, and we fear winter will last forever. But as soon as the solstice passes, the days begin to grow longer again. The Solstice is a turning point on the wheel of the year, when the sun symbolically dies and is reborn from the womb of the Goddess.
As we countdown the days til Solstice this year. I hope to share with you some of the meaning and myths of this sacred time of year. Let's begin.
Clean House
Everyone in the family can help clean house before Solstice. Be sure to sweep under the rugs and shake out any feather beds you might have! When you empty the dustpan or throw out the vacuum cleaner bag, name some of the things you want to get rid of. Then steep some rosemary and bay leaves in hot water and add the scented water to the pail when you wash your floors, to bring protection for the new season.
What inner cleansing do you need to do at Solstice time? What is left over from the past year--what dust lurks in your corners? What would you like to get rid of or leave behind?
4 comments:
that's what me and my two biggest sons are doing this week, having a major clearout and helping me swap bedrooms. I'm in the largest and it's silly 'cos my kids're sharing rooms and i'm alone. This should give the more room, force me to get rid of the stuff i've been hanging on to that i'm just being sentimental and stupid over with the bonus of giving me the fresh start that i desperately need. Thanks for the tip about the herbs and wish me luck..... xXx
This is great. I will be doing the rosemary, bay leaf cleansing.
We also smudge on Solstice evening and talk about what we are spiritually 'letting go' of.
yay- so excited for Solstice!
The rosemary and bay leaf idea is interesting. Worth a shot! I am excited for Yule as well. We are going back to basics. We smudge on the Solstice eve as well... Usually use rosemary and lavender... with a bit of frankincense and Myrrh. What do you use to smudge?
I use the trditional smudge of sage ans sweetgrass, myself. Somtimes I also use cedar.
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