Winter Solstice
By Rabble Rouser Reverend Amy on December 23, 2008 at 5:33 PM in Current Affairs, Voter Fraud
The winter holidays are here. It is the time of year when we experience the darkest night of the year, the Winter Solstice. It is this time of year that brings darkness, and that also brings hope. It is the hope that is signified by the evergreen and the holly. Life is happening deep within the earth, gestating in the womb, to be (re)born when Spring returns. It is a time of drawing within to take comfort in the dark nights. It is a time of yuletide fires that remind us of the light to come. It is a time to gather with loved ones, to share one’s presence (and presents). It is a time to give birth to hopes, dreams, and plans, to allow them to grow during the dark days. It is a time to renew one’s spirit, to reflect, to love, to bring peace into this world, which knows too much unrest. It is a time for the rejuvenation and renewal of the earth, the renewal of our selves.
The winter holiday season can also be a difficult time. If you listened to the Joni Mitchell song, “River,” you know that it is not a happy tune. It is beautiful, haunting, and moving, but not full of holiday cheer. Rather than focusing on the warmth of the season, it focuses on the chill when a relationship ends. While this time of year often signals weeks of festive engagements, with friends and family coming together from all over the map, it can also be a very painful time for many folks among us. There are a number of people who do not have family or friends with whom to share the holidays. They are lonely, and alone. They are not spending their time at parties, or at rituals celebrating the return of the light, or the manger birth of their messiah, or the eight nights of light, or any other winter celebration (or none at all). They do not embrace the dark, but rather fear it for the painful time it signals for them. This time of year, a time when so many are joyously celebrating birth in its myriad forms, can be a time so lonely for others, that it is lonely unto death. Theirs is not a time of celebration, but the remembrance of death, be it of relationships, family estrangement, shortage of friends. It can be a hard, sad, time.
And this year has definitely been one of loss for many of us. We have lost friends, we have lost family members, and some of us have lost our Party. We grieve the loss of those who turned a blind eye and deaf ear to the theft of a nomination, of voter fraud, of lies, of misogyny in the light of day. We mourn that our presidency can be bought so easily, with money, and callous disregard for morality and ethics. We are deeply saddened by what has happened in our personal lives, and our political lives. It has been a hard year for many of us, and we grieve.
To grieve is an important process, for those loved and lost, whether it be beloved four legged members of our families, or two legged loved ones; whether it be the end of relationships of great meaning, or loss of respect for those who embraced winning at all and any cost. Yes, it has been a hard year.
And yet, and yet, as the darkest night approaches, these sadnesses, these losses, can take us to another place. This season can be reclaimed as a time of spiritual renewal. It can be a time of deep introspection. It can be a time of going deeper within oneself to find the love one thought was lost. This is not an easy task, though. The spiritual journey is not a simple or painless one. But, it is a wholly worthwhile undertaking, if done with honesty, and compassion for oneself and others. There is mystery in this planet, in the universe, in the soul. This time of year, with the prevailing darkness, with the burning of candles, with the smells of evergreens seems to be the perfect time to engage in just such spiritual introspection, into the parts of who we are, that we may not venture to during the light. It is a time for reclaiming, rebirthing who we are, and our rightful place on this planet.
The following piece is by Clannad*. I think this piece is incredibly powerful – I don’t understand the lyrics at all, but that doesn’t matter to me. It’s the music, all about the music. This one soothes my soul. I hope it does yours as well:
This wondrous time of year is a perfect time for spiritual reflection. Amidst the hustle and bustle in which many of us engage during this time, remember to take time for yourself. Go in. Go deep. Sow the seeds of love and peace. Be mindful of the spirit, of dreams waiting to be born, or the lonely among us. Extend the warmth of the hearth and heart to them.
Merry meet. Merry part. Merry meet again!
* In case you are not familiar with Clannad, they are Enya’s family, and have been performing for years. Enya did sing with them for a couple of years, but then went out on her own.
(Release: November 13)
on sale for only $16.95.
has a spatula.)
8% Off at $11.95, with a rare five-star ranking by 294 customers: 
And check out these: 
("This crazy redhead is on to something. Her pink Rambler story alone is worth the price of the book," writes 
- “Richard Sale’s reportage on Washington, the CIA, the American armed forces, and foreign intrigue has created a perfect background for this account of the steady growth of President Clinton as a master of the game of nations.”--W. Patrick Lang, former head of Middle East Operations, DIA
"Anne C. Heller's stunning biography of Ayn Rand" uses a "plethora of newly unearthed research and fresh insight."
Thank you!
Depression common this time of year. Part of the reason for those of up way up north, where the sun is seldom seen — is lack of sun light. Seasonal affective disorder (I think it’s called.)
I can’t get the Utube on dial-up — but will at some later date.
For thousands of years, people all over the Planet Earth have celebrated the Winter Solstice, the time when the Sun returns after the winter’s cold and darkness.
In pre-Christian Northern Europe this festival was called Yule. The celebration of Yule predates the Christian holiday by thousands of years.
The etymology of the word Yule has been the object of much debate. Some believe it to be derived from the old Anglo-Saxon word Iul, which means wheel, and connected to the Celtic concept of the Wheel of the Year. Other linguists say that this interpretation is unlikely, since the word for Yule, which they spell Yehwla, predates the invention of the wheel by more than a thousand years. Still others have attempted to trace the word to Julius Caesar, or to Jolnir, which is another name for the Norse god Odin.
In the Northern Hemisphere the Winter Solstice occurs on December 21 or 22, and practitioners of neo-pagan religions there celebrate Yule at the same time as the Christians celebrate Christmas.
Native North Americans have celebrated both Solstices and equinoxes from ancient times, as shown by many stone structures aligned with the position of the Sun. The Pueblo tribes celebrate the Winter Solstice with rites focusing on Spring and rebirth. The Hopi Indians’ Soyal ceremony lasts for 20 days and includes purification rituals, blessings and feasting. Other Native American winter celebrations include the Bear Dance, the Feather Dance and the Navajo Night Chant.
beautiful,just beautiful.it touched my very soul.
merry christmas to all..
RRRAmy,
My heart swelled when i saw the cover of Joni’s Blue album. I have always loved Joni and and most of her music has soothed my sad soul at times through the years. I am still mourning the loss of my candidate and as you mentioned the loss of my party. Here’s a verse from Joni’s song Hejira from the album of the same name. I have it posted on my facebook page.
“I’m traveling in some vehicle
I’m sitting in some cafe
A defector from the petty wars
That shell shock love away
There’s comfort in melancholy
When there’s no need to explain
It’s just as natural as the weather
In this moody sky today” Joni Mitchell
I have suffered from depression since I was a child and even with medication it can seem insurmountable at this time of the year. (Btw, I have lived in MA my entire life…time to move to FL?) Many years ago a therapist offered a comforting view of depression. She said that it was a cover and protector of new growth as the snow protects the ground.
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year Amy!
Me too! gorgeous writing, RRRAmy…..love Joni
If we can survive 8 years of George W. Bush we can survive 4 years of George W. Obama.
When I think December and Winter Solstice I always think of Stairway to Heaven by Led Zeppelin. Aside from the pain in the ass of Xmas I always thought this is a happy time as the days now get longer. The Summer Solstice is the bummer for me because it’s all downhill from there.
Thank you, Amy. My Celtic soul enjoyed the music very much.
the world is coming to an end on Winter Solstice in the year 2012 (12/21/2012), or so they say
(Month) 12 = 1 & 2
(day) 2 + 1 = 3
(year) 2 + 0 + 1 + 2 = 5
1 + 2 + 3 + 5 …. Fibonacci numbers …
…enjoy the holidays…:-)
Thank you, Amy, for a beautiful post. The music was most touching.
Yes, this was a difficult year for many of us politically, but we must keep going forward. I am very grateful for No Quarter and the terrific articles, for various blogs, and for being able to work with The New Agenda–new friends, positive goals. Gratefulness.
Yes, RRRAmy, this is a beautiful post. It reads like poetry. Thank you. It fed my soul, as did the music and the wonderful video of the days into night in seamless beauty. It is always conforting this time of year to think back eons and to know we celebrate the same seasons and longing for light and warmer days as did our most distant ancesters. The circle of life.
Thank you Rev Amy! That was really lovely.
I’ve been stuck in the snow, resentful, hate the cold, can’t drive anywhere, bah humbug. I have places to go, things to do, wish this stuff would just go away.
But then I look outside and watch the kids. They’re still young enough to be filled with wonder, to view snow as a miracle sent here just to delight them.
Come unto me as a little child…Lots of wisdom in those words.
Wonderful post Rev Amy.
We got together with friends and had the “Feast of the Seven Fishes”. Usually an Italian tradition for Christmas Eve, but we could not get together on that day. I am also the only Italian in our group of friends.
With the bad economy that is only going to get worse, we should take this time to ponder the greater gift of giving and sharing food and good company with friends.
These are the holy days. My Christmas tree, with thousands of tiny blue lights, is so beautiful that it makes me feel like an idolator. Every year, the older I get, the more I feel the winter solstice in my heart, and the happier I am.
Good evening, all -
Thank you for the lovely comments, for sharing where you are in your journeys, for your kind words, and for sharing the feelings of this season.
HARP – nice recap! Thanks!!
That Joni Mitchell is something, isn’t she? And I just love Clannad. Their music is amazing – and some of it is in English!
Seriously – they make some awesome music…
Speaking – SFIndie found a translation of this song online – it’s words really match the sentiment. Here it is: Caislean Oir
Curfá: Chorus (after each verse):
Thart orainn, reált geal san oíche (Over us, a bright star in the night)
Tá’n fharraige chiúin agus suaimhneas sa ghaoth (The sea is quiet, and the wind is peaceful)
An fharraige chiúin ina codladh sa ghaoth (The quiet sea asleep in the wind)
Thíos sa ghleann an ghleann an cheo (Below in the glen, the misty glen)
Riocht na gréine i gCaisleán Óir (The kingdom of the sun in the Golden Castle)
Tá’n fharraige chiúin agus suaimhneas sa ghaoth (The sea is quiet, and the wind is peaceful)
An fharraige chiúin ina codladh sa ghaoth (The quiet sea asleep in the wind)
Driocht a mheall na daoine roinn (Magic charms the people there)
Soilse geala i gCaisleán Óir (Bright lights in the Golden Castle)
Tá’n fharraige chiúin agus suaimhneas sa ghaoth (The sea is quiet, and the wind is peaceful)
An fharraige chiúin ina codladh sa ghaoth (The quiet sea asleep in the wind)
Again, great comments, friends! The happiest of holidays to you all, no matter which one (or none at all) you celebrate. And so glad you liked the post!
What a joy it is to have our own personal minister here at NQ! We are blessed indeed. Your meditations always move me, Amy. Glad you shared on with the rest of the crew!
Joy, peace and love to all this holiday season.
I LIVED on “Blue” in college. Fantastic Joni.
Amy – that album meant so much to me that I painted the cover in oils in 1974. I wish i could attach it, because it is a testament of how to let a painting on canvas go to waste. It is like the human form, if not stretched out and framed, it starts to expand and contract, and flake, revealing the pentimento underneath it. But is still looks just like the album cover, just not as it did in 1974, but with aging flaws.
I have so enjoyed reading this site (I have followed Larry Johnson since 2003 when he spoke out against the Iraq War.)
I am another ex-Democrat looking for a political home.
I have found one at NoQuarter.
Great last minute used book gift
http://www.amazon.com/Sarum-Novel-England-Edward-Rutherfurd/dp/0449000729