As I stand here on this celebration of Yule, the sacred wheel of the year has turned once again and it is now midwinter. As my forebears did, I do now, and so may my descendants do in time to come. It is the Solstice, the longest night and shortest day. Today I celebrate the return of the Sun. Since the summer, it has gradually become colder and darker, but from this time forwards, the days shall get longer and lighter and warmer again. The Solar year has run its course and completed its cycle and a new year begins, bringing light, life and hope to the earth.
Winter Solstice ritual (SOURCE)
This morning, I joined with thousands of strangers from across the globe and marked the Winter Solstice by watching English Heritage's live feed from Stonehenge.
When the sun rose at 8.09am, I did as I've done since I was old enough to wield a pair of secateurs and brought in boughs of evergreen from the garden, festooned our home and put the finishing touches to my Yuletide wreath. This year I didn't bother cutting my Globemaster alliums down after they'd flowered, leaving them to dry where they'd bloomed and, dusted with gold paint and combined with some pine cones I picked up from the beach in Corfu, they bring back happy memories of summer.
For us Xmas Day will be, as always, a low-key affair, disconnecting from cyberspace and sharing food & good times with friends. Whatever you do - or don't do - enjoy every minute and for those of you grieving, my thoughts are with you. It won't be long till we're dancing barefoot in the grass with the kiss of sunshine on our shoulders.
My favourite festive tune.
Have a cool Yule! Thanks for your comments, kindness and friendship throughout the year.
Love always,
Vix & Jon
Happy Yule to you, Vix! And to everyone out there - may the days grow long as we spend it with those we love. <3
ReplyDeletePS - you look smashing! Love the festival headpiece, and your wreath is gorgeous!
You would have blended right in at Stonehenge. I'm not there this year but Mythago is dancing in the stones tomorrow. It looks like it will be dry.....I got soaked last year!! Festive greetings to you both. Arilx
ReplyDeleteFabulous post, Vix. Thank you. I have decided to largely steer clear of cyberspace because it can be so (low-level) anxiety-inducing and depressing. But your blog is exceptional. Best wishes to you, Jon and William and all your readers for the year to come. Heather
ReplyDeleteLove this post Vix. I am ignoring Christmas this year. I may go and gather some greenery from the garden just to add some cheer, but my holly bush has been stripped of berries, well I hope the birds enjoyed them!
ReplyDeleteI enjoy reading your blog especially when you write so well of sunnier climes and foreign lands. Let's hope 2024 brings some peace to the world. All good wishes to you both. Love Carole xx
I love the greenery associated with Yule. So beautiful.
ReplyDeleteMy mum would love your outfit! She celebrates the Solstice.
Kezzie xc
Fabulous post Vix. I love to think that we are moving to the light. It’s a good way to move forward. Enjoy good company and good food with no stress dear friends xxx
ReplyDeleteYour image with the wreath of greenery deserves a feature in "what-was-the-name-of-the-newspaper-in-the-Potter-saga." I'd gladly give that wreath space on my door. This year local markets are pricing the festive greens on the same range as canned sturgeon eggs and other holiday delicacies, so I've hauled out some vintage pine cones and the little can of gilt.... * This year my church is hosting a Christmas Eve service at 4:30 in the afternoon to accommodate those who no longer drive after dark. As our pastor has remarked, this is no less "correct" than most other customs that have accrued over the centuries... By American standards ours is a very old building and the congregation is tiny. We gather in a spirit of "God bless us everyone!" May you, Vix, Jon, Jacob, William and all your loved ones be blessed this season and in the year to come.
ReplyDeletevery happy solstice to you and Jon, Vix💚
ReplyDeletewishing you all the best as we move into the light✨
these photos are gorgeous!! as usual!🙂
Stephanie
Solstice blessings Vix, I love your wreath, its beautiful, I had dried allium heads but they were too stinky lol!!! Wish I kept them now. Betty
ReplyDeleteHappy Winter Solstice! You look so pretty!
ReplyDeleteA very Happy winter solstice to you and Jon! You look gorgeous! Thankyou for this year of wonderful posts, for taking the time to share your experiences and thoughts with us! Wishing you all the best, have a fab time these next few days and see you on the other side!! Lots of love from Barcelona! xxx
ReplyDeleteHave a Merry Christmas, for me it will be a quiet time with family, while the main day arrives I will watch Christmas movies. Kisses
ReplyDeleteThank you for thinking of us that are grieving this year. In my saddest days, I often pulled up blogs of the brightest lights, you, Aril, and others, that give me a smile. I think I found Siobhan though your blog, and we've leaned on each other as kindred souls via email and hope to meet in person in 2024. The lighter days will come, and I hope I and all of us just trying to get through this season, experience that light as well. Happy Yule, kind Vix.
ReplyDeleteLove your gorgeous outfit and the beautiful wreath! Happy Winter Solstice and lots of Yuletide blessings to you, Jon, William and Jacob.
ReplyDeleteLovely, have a Cool Yule too and may 2024 bring all that you Hope for.
ReplyDeleteThe Photos are adorable. This is you, authentic and beautiful. I love the saying from Camus. He wrote many of mein favorite Books, he was a great mind. Wonderful last Days of the year Vix!
ReplyDeleteSeason's Greetings to you both. Let's hope for better things for the world next year.
ReplyDeleteI shall see you for the exhibition and a catch up soon
Love, Annie xxx
Great song choice and perfect winter solstice outfit!
ReplyDeleteI've put off gathering holly from the garden as it's been so soggy and damp and cold, but today's the day!
Lovely words, thank you. xxx
I love that first photo, it deserves to be printed out and framed for posterity. Wishing you all the very best for the New Solar Year. xx
ReplyDeleteHave a wonderful and chilled out day my friend. I'm looking forward to reading all about your adventures in 2024.
ReplyDeleteHappy Solstice to you and yours. Thanks again for the interesting and amusing posts from your fabulous world.
ReplyDeleteYou make an excellent sorceress for your first photo. I'm not into any religion but appreciate a light hearted take on it.
All the best from Ontario, Canada.
Happy Solstice, Vix, to you, Lord John and Mr Woolberforce. The wreath is stunning with the allium heads and you look fabulous in your outfit. Have a lovely time and here's to 2024! Hoping for peace in the world. Look forward to reading about all your adventures and of distant lands. Louise (Mids) X x
ReplyDeleteSo happy the days will be getting longer now! Loved the head dress and the wreath. The alliums turned out beautifully. Happy Yule festivities to you and Lord Jon.
ReplyDeletexxx
Bright blessings to you both xxx
ReplyDeleteI am interested in natures cycle of life -I have 3 pottery godesses x
ReplyDeleteHappy Winter Solstice and a cool Yule to you, Jon and William!
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful post, and your photos absolutely fantastic, catching the magic of the Winter Solstice perfectly!
I'm loving the greenery you've gathered and I think I must plant some Globemaster alliums and leave them to dry, as they look truly magnificent! xxx
Have a wonderful Yule and a very Merry Christmas. I look forward to your 2024 adventures Vix. Xx
ReplyDeleteJust popping into say wishing you much love and joy this Christmas and I hope that the upcoming year is full of contentment for you and the lovely Jon! xxx
ReplyDeleteHappy Winter Solace!
ReplyDeleteAll the best in New Year!
Hope you both had a good Yule and all the very best to you in the coming New Year. xxx
ReplyDeleteBelated solstice & yuletide greetings Vix.
ReplyDeleteIf I ever make a folk horror movie, please could you be my priestess?
Lulu xXx