Blessed Winter Solstice

Today we cross into the darkness and the days light is short and night prolongs its shadow marks the start of winter. On this day of the Winter Solstice(Alban Arthan), the sun's light impregnates the earth. The Sun God Mates with the Goddess of the Land conceiving new light and Mother Earth sleeps until the rebirth of light at Litha.

So as we sit under the Rowan, we mourn and let go of that which is finishing or dying, reflecting within our inner darkness and seeking the reality of rebirth of the soul, opening ourselves to a new dawn.                          
We step into the darkness under the Oak Moon. Celebration, reflection, dying and rebirth is our journey's path through the dark half of the year. It is the looking back on the year's events, triumphs and failures, letting go of things physical and spiritual that are no longer needed or wanted and the beginning of forming new ideas and desires for the coming new year.

May your journey fulfills your dreams.

Blessed Winter Solstice to all!

Happy Samhain 2019

Samhain is a druid holiday respecting the dead. It is when the veil between worlds is at its thinnest and the dead and fairies roam our world. The ancient ritual for Samhain was to light bonfires and dress in costumes to ward off the ghosts.

In today's world, Holloween was created based on this druid holiday. But for those who are still practicing druids, witches, and pagans it is time to lit your bonfires and candles, to leave and extra plate at the dinner table or food and water on your altar for the dead.

In closing, I wish you a joyous Samhain and leave you with a poem I wrote for this night.

Samhain

Light your bonfires

Strike your candles
                                  Place your water and food                                 

Pictures of the deceased,

In the light of the full moon,

In the blackness of night

As the waters still

And the trees bow

A murder swarms the skies

landing on rooftops,

The veil between worlds thin--

They await the dead,

In the moonlight
In shadows of trees
Under the wing and eyes
Of the Crow and Owl,
They come to your call
Upon this Hallow night.

@Wayne Adam

May your bonfires glow and your candles burn bright on this scared night.

Litha 2019

We've come to the gateway of Litha or Alban Hefin (Sumner Solstice) where the Holly King begins
his waxing reign into the dark of winter after defeating the Oak King who retreats into exile till the Winter Solstice.  Hence, on this celebration of "The Light of Summer," we engage in the ancient rituals of colorful and joyous festivals, women wearing wreaths of flowers and men oak leaves.

Collecting magical herbs of fern, rue, rosemary, St.Johns Wort, Mallows, foxglove, elderflowers, vervain, and yarrow are used for amulets to ward off evil and are hung in doorways for protection. Bonfires light the night sky, people dance and sing or jump through flames for good fortune, and animals are paraded around the fires to ask for protection and a good harvest.

The Solstice is associated with  Fire which symbolizes, light, transformation, and energy. Fire is the element of strength and
 protection, it leads us to the purification of  Nature and our Self.

Litha is also one of the Three Spirit Nights of the year upon which the  veil between wolds appears
thin allowing ghosts and faeries to roam among us.

This day honors the sun in all its glory, bask in its warm light and enjoy the beauty of nature on this longest day. Celebrate with song and dance, lite bonfires for good fortune and protection.

May your Litha be bright and blessed,

Wayne the Bard