Winter Solstice is my time to contemplate the past; celebrate my successes; glean a few lessons from my failures; and set a few goals, née, resolutions, for the year ahead. Darkest night behind me, Sunday morning I brewed a pot of tea instead ofcoffee; I set some sage to smoldering beside the candles on the altar and lit one candle in every room around my home; I open a new journal to page 1; and begin to plan for the coming year.
This year’s solstice, at least in part, was spent at various parties amidst friends. By day, I began an early spring cleaning/rearranging of my studio/office (aka my aerie). By night I enjoyed the festive mingling and conversations with friends; listening to live music, over-indulging in good food and wine.
Still, however late I arrived home on Friday and Saturday evenings, I lit the candles that I had set out before leaving the house and recited my annual evocation, née petition, née spell, for prophetic dreams of the path that lies ahead of me for the coming year.
I am one with the uni verse – See me.
Let me slip easily into the stream of time – Hear me.
Let me acknowledge my past, and accept my now – Help me.
Let me see in dream a little of my path ahead – Grant me.
That given time to contemplate, I may make better choices – Guide me.
As I give myself up to the ‘I am’ and slip into dream. Protect me.
So mote it be.