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Post by cleglaw on Dec 25, 2008 6:12:57 GMT
Have a happy one.  |
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Post by Galadriel on Dec 25, 2008 12:04:10 GMT
I had my wintersolstice on the evening of the 21 st of dec. Send my wishes to everyone I know, in real life and online.
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Post by cleglaw on Dec 26, 2008 13:00:11 GMT
 And to you as well, milady. |
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Post by janggut on Dec 26, 2008 16:30:24 GMT
it's a festival for the Chinese, celebrating winter solstice.we eat this ball made of glutinous rice flour, served in a bowl of sweet broth. so there u go, another festival celebrated in Malaysia! ;D i'm sure Fille will have a laugh on this. ;D |
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Post by LaFille on Dec 27, 2008 6:35:42 GMT
Yes, aside from being jealous of you Malays having so many holidays. ;D  from me too!  It will be good to see the daylight stretch later. |
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Post by cleglaw on Dec 27, 2008 13:42:04 GMT
Happy Dōngzhì and happy Canadian Solstice.  |
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Post by janggut on Dec 28, 2008 5:11:36 GMT
wow, that is such a gorgeous pic of winter solstice day! hope i can take such incredible pic one day.  thanks for the photographic inspiration, Cleg! now i need 2 get me a DSLR. ;D |
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Post by Galadriel on Dec 28, 2008 10:20:21 GMT
Interesting to know for you guys, in case you didn't already of course:
Winter Solstice
Winter Solstice in Wiccan terms:
The Winter Solstice, sometimes referred to as Yule, celebrates the rebirth of the sun to the earth, and the solstice itself is the longest (hence, darkest) night of the year. Throughout the world, from Scotland to Iran to the Americas, ancient and modern peoples have called forth the sun on the longest night of the year.
You may have noticed that the solstice falls near the Christian holiday of Christmas, and that the word Yule is usually associated with that same holiday. Upon closer inspection, you will find many remnants of the pagan holiday within the current Christian celebrations. For example, the Christmas tree that is erected in many homes is a nod to the original pagan celebration of creating a Yule tree. The sturdy, evergreen tree represents life surviving in the darkest time of the year. The Yule tree was decorated with natural ornaments such as berries, rosebuds, and cinnamon sticks. Candles adorned the tree, representing the light of the sun, soon to be reborn. In many traditions, a Yule log is burned throughout the solstice night to provide a light in the darkest night, symbolizing hope and a belief that the sun will return.
Yule is a time of celebration and rebirth, as the light of the God once again is reborn and shines within our lives. The winter solstice is also the time when the Goddess, in her aspect as Crone, is reborn as the Maiden. Rites to celebrate the return of the sun and the respective rebirths of the God and Goddess are appropriate, as are rituals to guide your spiritual path and honor the lessons learned within the dark time.
The legend of King Holly and King Oak
In Celtic mythology the Oak King and the Holly King are twins. Every year at the Winter and Summer Solstices, these two fight for dominance. In actuality, these brothers are two parts of the same thing, the waxing and waning of the yearly cycles of the Earth.
The Holly King rules the waning year, from Midsummer to Yule, and the Oak King rules the waxing year from Yule to Midsummer. The Holly King represents darkness, decay and destruction, and is often seen as Pluto, the Lord of the Underworld , who kidnapped beautiful Persephone and plunged the earth into winter. He also represents inner knowledge and mysteries. The Oak King, on the other hand, represents light, growth and expansion. These two mighty kings fight a symbolic battle to win the Crown of the year, at Yule when the Oak King wins, and at Midsummer when the Holly King wins.
To the early Celts, trees, especially the Oak tree were considered sacred. Oak trees are deciduous, meaning that they go into a dormant state during the winter months. English Christmas Holly trees are evergreen, and maintain their foliage year round. As the cold weather approached and the Oak trees lost their foliage, the Holly trees, which had been hidden amid the leafy Oaks now stood out in their full beauty in the barren landscape.
At Midwinter, it seemed that the Holly King had won and his brother, the mighty Oak King now stood naked in defeat. But, the Holly King did not really win the battle, because as the Sun begins to return once again, The Oak King rallies, and begins to re-establish his supremacy, even though it won't be until Midsummer when the Oaks will once again be in full foliage.
The battle continues at Midsummer and the Oak King appears to win, overshadowing and pushing his opponent out of sight, but once again appearances are deceptive as the Sun begins to leave once more and the Holly King rallies and begins to make his full appearance once more. Interestingly enough it is at the time when each King is in his full strength and splendor that he is defeated by his opponent.
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Post by LaFille on Dec 29, 2008 4:30:06 GMT
Indeed, very nice pic; and interesting info, thanks Gal!  |
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Post by janggut on Dec 29, 2008 6:36:37 GMT
very informative, Gal. *thumbs up* |
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Post by Galadriel on Dec 29, 2008 8:29:49 GMT
Glad you liked it guys
Blessed Be 
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