the_vulture (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
the_vulture) wrote2010-12-21 09:44 am
the_vulture) wrote2010-12-21 09:44 am
Entry tags:
On last evening's Lunar Eclipse and the Winter Solstice
As many of you are aware, last evening's Lunar Eclipse, in occurring on the day of the Winter Solstice, is quite a rare event. Sadly, I could not participate in it as I would have liked: the weather was just too foul to see anything in the night sky (and, in actuality, I even had some difficulty seeing some of the city's taller landmarks). I did, however, shared a few words with the Goddess and laid out a number of my female aligned altar and ritual items on the windowsill to absorb a bit of the extra Female energy that was about.
Later on today, of course, I will be having a private Yule ceremony in which I will be honoring the rebirth of the God. For me, it is a time of new beginnings, as the energies of the world shift from building potential to beginning action. As such, I've chosen this evening to consecrate my new sword, which will finally see ritual use, as well as reconsecrate a number of my other implements.
In her article for The Washington Post, Out of darkness, light: Solstice and the lunar eclipse, prominent Pagan author Starhawk wrote:
We don't conceive of the dark as evil, but as a place of potential, of gestation--the black, fertile soil where the seed puts forth roots and shoots, the dark womb where new life is nurtured. But being humans, we also have a natural affinity for the light, the time of growth and new beginnings, of warmth and color and bright new hopes. Solstice reminds us that no darkness, no loss, no grief or disappointment is final. Out of darkness, light is born. Every ending gives rise to a new beginning. Out of disappointment and despair comes new courage, new hope.
I rather like her concept of the last evening's lunar eclipse being especially indicative of new potential for letting go of the past and changing one's future.
Her concepts on the meaning of the Winter Solstice share similar threads to mine in that we both see the Solstice as a light signalling the end of darkness, though, in this previous post, I speak more specifically of the darkness that is winter's gloom and how many celebrations of the holiday season arose as a means to help people through those long, dark months.
May the promise of the returning Light fill your hearts with warmth, joy and peace this holiday season!
Later on today, of course, I will be having a private Yule ceremony in which I will be honoring the rebirth of the God. For me, it is a time of new beginnings, as the energies of the world shift from building potential to beginning action. As such, I've chosen this evening to consecrate my new sword, which will finally see ritual use, as well as reconsecrate a number of my other implements.
In her article for The Washington Post, Out of darkness, light: Solstice and the lunar eclipse, prominent Pagan author Starhawk wrote:
We don't conceive of the dark as evil, but as a place of potential, of gestation--the black, fertile soil where the seed puts forth roots and shoots, the dark womb where new life is nurtured. But being humans, we also have a natural affinity for the light, the time of growth and new beginnings, of warmth and color and bright new hopes. Solstice reminds us that no darkness, no loss, no grief or disappointment is final. Out of darkness, light is born. Every ending gives rise to a new beginning. Out of disappointment and despair comes new courage, new hope.
I rather like her concept of the last evening's lunar eclipse being especially indicative of new potential for letting go of the past and changing one's future.
Her concepts on the meaning of the Winter Solstice share similar threads to mine in that we both see the Solstice as a light signalling the end of darkness, though, in this previous post, I speak more specifically of the darkness that is winter's gloom and how many celebrations of the holiday season arose as a means to help people through those long, dark months.
May the promise of the returning Light fill your hearts with warmth, joy and peace this holiday season!