formerly Diane's Addled Ramblings... the ramblings are still addled, just like before, and the URL is still the same...
it's just the title at the top of the page that's new

Sunday, December 21, 2008

Welcome Back, Mr. Sun!

Today is the Winter Solstice. Happy Winter Solstice! This is one of the days I actually like to celebrate. The tradition of welcoming back the sun feels right, especially during a time that, for me, is usually a bit dark and somewhat less-than-pleasant. This day always feels more like the beginning of a new year to me than January 1. And today, fittingly, dawned sunny and bright - much welcomed after the weeks of grey skies and gloomy weather we've been experiencing. The sky is bright blue; it's crisp and cold (but not the damp, biting kind of cold of yesterday); and the sun is shining! Yay Mr. Sun! Welcome back! I spent the morning outside with my fuzzy boy, tramping around the woods, watching the sun glint off the ever-moving waters of a mountain lake, and generally feeling happy to be alive. After lunch out with my girl, we'll be spending the afternoon doing creative, crafty things. And this evening we'll each write 3 lists...

1) Our hopes for the coming year
2) Fears, hurts, and regrets we want to let go
3) Everything we're grateful for

Then we'll start a fire in the firepit outside and burn those lists... we'll send our hopes, our fears, and our blessings out to the Universe... and we'll see what comes back to us in the next twelve months. Good things, I expect... I hope.

So, Happy Solstice to you! I hope your day looks and feels as sun-filled as mine!

22 comments:

Zuzana said...

Diane, what a lovely sentiment with the three lists and the fire.;) I really like that.:)
I agree with you about the sun, I am so happy it is slowly coming back.;)
And ditto on the great minds.;))) Have a happy winter solstice.;))

Unknown said...

That sounds like a wonderful way to celebrate the solstice. I hope only good things come your way for the coming year :)

Amy McMean said...

Sounds like a very fun day.

justsomethoughts... said...

wishing you only good things for the coming year.

alltogethernow!

sun, sun, mr. golden sun
please shine down on me...

i'm not the only one that was coerced into singing that song at the top of my little lungs, am i?

Sam_I_am said...

It's a little dreary here, but the rain stopped! Happy Winter Solstice to you!

Lee said...

Shouldn't you be at Stonehenge?

Sometimes Sophia said...

What a wonderful tradition... the lists. (I just may adopt it.) When the days get shorter, and the sun sets in the middle of the afternoon, it's so depressing. I agree that the solstice should be the start of the new year. Forget January 1... the pagans had it right.

hebba said...

Oh, yeah. I forgot it was solstice. Happy solstice and a wonderful new year

HLiza said...

Didn't know what winter solstice is till you described it. We're also in the mood to review the past and prepare for the future here..

Ronda's Rants said...

That's sounds like a great way to celebrate...I may do the same... Thanks for the great idea!

Mama Wheaton said...

That is a really neat idea. However it is snowing here so I am not really feeling the sunshine part, but I will try to overlook it and celebrate anyway.

SSP said...

love the solstices!! Today, I was up before dawn and drove straight into a clear bright morning - hopefully a precursor of things to come...although I am headed to the family, so maybe AFTER this aggravating, i mean, joyous, time, we can look forward to better days!! I did lists too, but mainly lists of the people on the highway who need driving lessons, who needs glasses and who needs a big kick in the A$$

Henry the Dog said...

What a lovely thing to do, Diane. Mum loves the winter solstice because after that it means that the days will get longer and longer. Happy solstice.

Heather said...

Ooooh I love your idea for how to spend the day. If I wasn't locked in cublicle land where I have NO view of the beautiful day outside, I might participate too. Unfortunately, I don't think my boss would appreciate me starting a fire on my desk and sending my wishes and hopes into the office atmosphere. I'm pretty sure there are some athmatics around here who would have to bust out their inhalers.

zipbagofbones said...

That sounds like a great way to celebrate! Any day that marks the start of longer days is a good day in my book.

Petra a.k.a The Wise (*Young*) Mommy said...

what an awesome tradition! Happy Solstice to you as well!!

Jane! said...

You are so full of good ideas.
I should really give that fire thing a try... but I don't think my main frustration would burn. He contains too much water.

Last Place Finisher said...

Interesting to compare traditions at this time of year. Although we live in different worlds, I do something very similar:

1. Hope to see another year,
2. Regret my Fears and Hurts, and
3. Wonder why everything grates on me.

:)

Jenners said...

Glad to hear you in a sunnier mood (although you are so funny when you are grumpy). I think those are good things to do to start out a new year fresh!

And you know, I didn't know it was the Winter Solstice but did notice it was lighter later ... so now I know why!

Anonymous said...

Awesome idea!! I'm glad the sun came up for you ;)

Anonymous said...

I'm with you - have had enough of the gray days - was very happy to see the sun around these parts too.
Wishing you and Ryan sunnier days in the up coming year -

Heather's M

Live More Now said...

That "burning the lists" ritual sounds like a great one! Happy Christmas (belated!)