Comments on: Winter Solstice

By: Anne

Anne — Thu, 25 Dec 2008 05:18:41 +0000

Great last minute used book gift
http://www.amazon.com/Sarum-Novel-England-Edward-Rutherfurd/dp/0449000729

By: Anne

Anne — Thu, 25 Dec 2008 04:07:41 +0000

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.

By: fif

fif — Wed, 24 Dec 2008 05:00:12 +0000

I LIVED on “Blue” in college. Fantastic Joni.

By: Screw-the-DNC

Screw-the-DNC — Wed, 24 Dec 2008 03:51:55 +0000

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.

By: Rabble Rouser Reverend Amy

Rabble Rouser Reverend Amy — Wed, 24 Dec 2008 03:49:31 +0000

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!

By: Bud White

Bud White — Wed, 24 Dec 2008 02:38:05 +0000

RRRAmy,
My heart swelled when i saw the cover of Joni’s Blue album.

Me too! gorgeous writing, RRRAmy…..love Joni

By: oowawa

oowawa — Wed, 24 Dec 2008 02:32:38 +0000

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.

By: Linda C.

Linda C. — Wed, 24 Dec 2008 01:06:43 +0000

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.

By: yttik

yttik — Wed, 24 Dec 2008 00:59:21 +0000

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.

By: bert

bert — Wed, 24 Dec 2008 00:47:14 +0000

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.

By: SantaFeK

SantaFeK — Wed, 24 Dec 2008 00:06:55 +0000

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.

By: typical.white.person

typical.white.person — Wed, 24 Dec 2008 00:01:21 +0000

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...:-)

By: lee M

lee M — Tue, 23 Dec 2008 23:58:20 +0000

Thank you, Amy. My Celtic soul enjoyed the music very much.

By: Obama: Dubya 2-Electric Boogaloo

Obama: Dubya 2-Electric Boogaloo — Tue, 23 Dec 2008 23:51:30 +0000

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.

By: Jackarooty

Jackarooty — Tue, 23 Dec 2008 22:58:54 +0000

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!

By: foxyladi14

foxyladi14 — Tue, 23 Dec 2008 22:54:47 +0000

beautiful,just beautiful.it touched my very soul.
merry christmas to all..

By: HARP

HARP — Tue, 23 Dec 2008 22:42:59 +0000

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.

By: Northwest rain

Northwest rain — Tue, 23 Dec 2008 22:41:38 +0000

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.