We take this season...be it Yule, Solstice, Hanukkah, Christmas, Kwaanza, etc...rather for granted thanks to the commercialism and media attention given to the "traditional" (a.k.a. Hollywood). Tonight, with the presents unwrapped, the pets playing quietly with their toys, the tree aglow, and dinner in the oven, it's rather nice to look back over the past few days.
It was our first true Yule celebration together--a quiet exchange of meaningful gifts honoring our individual Paths and a solitary bit of quiet ritual to say farewell to the darkness in expectation of the light. And, thanks to having step-daughters and, yes, buying into the commercialism like everyone else, we also honored the familial aspects of today with presents, the watching of "White Christmas," and a lovely meal. Then, since the children are back with their mother, the two of us honored our pre-established tradition and went to the movies.
Driving home just now, it dawned on me just how much more meaningful THIS year actually was. The children were happier this year without overindulgence (lots of activities celebrating the Season's riches--ice skating, hot cocoa by the fire, holiday light displays, etc)...the two of us finally found real meaning together in the season without all the hype (commercialism notwithstanding)...and, somehow, even though I've been a solitary for years, it was "more" this year.
There's a calm tonight....he's in his chair, I'm on the couch, the pets are grumbling amongst themselves about "rights" to the various toys and blankets they got. It's nice. It's a new moon...new beginnings...new calendar year pending. And, new fun just around the corner....
So, in the spirit of the Season (in whichever you choose to partake) and in the softness of the promise of moonlight, Merry Meet and Merry Part and Merry Meet Again.......
See you in 2009!
25 December 2008
07 December 2008
As the Holidays Approach...
I've been reading a number of articles recently which all seem reminiscences about the upcoming season. There are the "season of darkness" ones, the "what Yule used to mean" ones, and the "Christmas versus Yule" ones (those seem to dominate, actually). They all, though, appear to hold the same vision...that the holiday season we're entering into (upon the recent completion of the relatively secular celebration of eating we just went through) is one that's diverse and disjoint. Odd...
I'm from a Christian background...a Church of England background to be specific...and yet I've chosen a "Pagan" path. To me, the upcoming holidays aren't all that diverse...they are all a celebration of a return of Light--the Winter Solstice marks the turning from darkness to light, the Christian observance marks the entrance of the Child (light), and the Jewish observance is one celebration the miracle of light. We put lights on our houses, there are lights on the tree/Tree, and the stars are twinkling especially merrily in the icy darkness of midwinter nights.
Everything is celebrating light. And, in winter, light is especially embracing...like our Moon waxing and waning. Our homes glow, our fireplaces crackle welcomingly (or hiss in our case as it's gas), our kitchens (where I spend a goodly percentage of this season) practically radiate with delight as stoves simmer soups and stews and ovens bake enticingly warm breads and cakes.
Yes...some put more emphasis on the Christian or Jewish sacred festivals. And there are those (thankfully rare) who dismiss anything OTHER than the aforementioned festivals. For me, it's about the departure of the old.....the promise of the return of the Maiden from her slumber and the advancement of the Old One to her leisuretime. It's light and warmth and comfort offered in the "dead" of Winter. It's reassurance and renewal and a coming together. It's family and friends reunited, love restored, reunions made possible.
Isn't that what the other "mainline" holiday observances are all about too? So where's the negative diversity? The disconnection between the beliefs? If a name or a "tradition" is what separates us, a name and a tradition can bring us together. Look to the similarities...embrace the diversity as exciting and special to that other person...hold fast to the Light together.
In the softness of moonlight....
I'm from a Christian background...a Church of England background to be specific...and yet I've chosen a "Pagan" path. To me, the upcoming holidays aren't all that diverse...they are all a celebration of a return of Light--the Winter Solstice marks the turning from darkness to light, the Christian observance marks the entrance of the Child (light), and the Jewish observance is one celebration the miracle of light. We put lights on our houses, there are lights on the tree/Tree, and the stars are twinkling especially merrily in the icy darkness of midwinter nights.
Everything is celebrating light. And, in winter, light is especially embracing...like our Moon waxing and waning. Our homes glow, our fireplaces crackle welcomingly (or hiss in our case as it's gas), our kitchens (where I spend a goodly percentage of this season) practically radiate with delight as stoves simmer soups and stews and ovens bake enticingly warm breads and cakes.
Yes...some put more emphasis on the Christian or Jewish sacred festivals. And there are those (thankfully rare) who dismiss anything OTHER than the aforementioned festivals. For me, it's about the departure of the old.....the promise of the return of the Maiden from her slumber and the advancement of the Old One to her leisuretime. It's light and warmth and comfort offered in the "dead" of Winter. It's reassurance and renewal and a coming together. It's family and friends reunited, love restored, reunions made possible.
Isn't that what the other "mainline" holiday observances are all about too? So where's the negative diversity? The disconnection between the beliefs? If a name or a "tradition" is what separates us, a name and a tradition can bring us together. Look to the similarities...embrace the diversity as exciting and special to that other person...hold fast to the Light together.
In the softness of moonlight....
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