Wishing you a most Happy Winter Solstice

From this photo...

Solstice Deer   16x16 acrylic

...to this painting. Happy Solstice

Moon Set

Moon set at 8:40 am. I am searching for a beautiful poem about the Maccabee's that speaks of being thankful for the darkenss that we may learn to better appreciate the light. As usual, when I want to find something in this house, it is swallowed by mysteries.

To see a beautiful shot of the lunar eclipse, go here: http://www.cbc.ca/bcalmanac/photogallery/

Clock of the Wind

This beautiful poem was published in the VictoriaTimes Colonist last Christmas season. I tried to track down the author but had no luck. It makes me feel such a sense of place. Although it appears to have been written about Vancouver Island, I feel the same way as I walk through the Columbia Valley winter landscape.

Clock of the Wind

I follow the path to the winter stream,
past the confetti of huckleberry leaves
to pick maple leaves caught in the sword ferns,
to keep the David Austin roses warm.

It's nearly Solstice.
I follow the water's sound,
the tree branch sound,
listen to the clock of the wind
winding through the hemlocks.

I'm bound to this place
like the small dark birds
I can't name
who have found their home
in the crowned branches of the salmonberries.
I listen for their heatbeats. Their wingbeats.

And these dark days,
when the sun stands still,
I want to hang broken mirrors, small clocks
and castanets from the apple trees.
Dance.
Bring back the light.

Happy Winter Solstice 2008

A Solstice Prayer

Goddess, you create day and night,
Rolling away light before darkness,
Darkness before light,
Thank you for the darkness,
Without it we could not appreciate the light.
By the darkness we can measure blessing-
Health by sickness,
Laughter by tears,
Riches by poverty,
Freedom by oppression.

In memory of ancient light after darkness, let us light a candle.
A candle is small,
Nor far from where it brightly flames the darkness closes in.
But candles light other candles,
And light draws strength from light.
Each night of life let us add candles;
The candle of hope.
The candle of faith.
The candle of brave deeds.
The candle of freedom.
Thank you for the darkness.
Thank you for the light.


a thank you to the author of this prayer.