Paradoxically, this has felt externally less like the time of winter holidays, and inside, I have been extremely symbolic of them: the extra rest and inner workings of a winter Mother Earth, and crafting up a gift-giving storm and knowing that love, joy, and holiday traditions are the best gifts I can give my kids and my loved ones :)
For this holiday season, we have gotten puppies, bought a tree and the stuff to handmake new decorations, got our van ready to rush up to Julian at the first sign of snow (where my son is prepared to see penguins and polar bears!), stuffed their stockings with gifts, told stories of the deep resting Mother Earth Goddess and the Sun in retreat that are Yule, caroled the Yule day away, and are planning on hosting a family after-Christmas party :)) So many wonderfully holiday-y things :)))
Yule is the day I grew up celebrating with my mom. I always loved that it was a few days before Christmas, so I got my gifts earlier than most kids :)) This year, my daughter has shown me that she is feeling a lack of spirituality in her life, and I, too, have been wanting to fill the same void. I've been feeling the pull back toward the Pagan faith that my mom raised me in.
I wrote this elsewhere and wanted to share:
For this holiday season, we have gotten puppies, bought a tree and the stuff to handmake new decorations, got our van ready to rush up to Julian at the first sign of snow (where my son is prepared to see penguins and polar bears!), stuffed their stockings with gifts, told stories of the deep resting Mother Earth Goddess and the Sun in retreat that are Yule, caroled the Yule day away, and are planning on hosting a family after-Christmas party :)) So many wonderfully holiday-y things :)))
Yule is the day I grew up celebrating with my mom. I always loved that it was a few days before Christmas, so I got my gifts earlier than most kids :)) This year, my daughter has shown me that she is feeling a lack of spirituality in her life, and I, too, have been wanting to fill the same void. I've been feeling the pull back toward the Pagan faith that my mom raised me in.
I wrote this elsewhere and wanted to share:
"I have aspired to get back in touch with my spirituality for years now, and this Yule/eclipse was just what I needed (well, and some talks about faith recently :)). I feel like I am stepping into an old familiar and beautiful dress and comfortable with people seeing me in it -- where it didn't feel just right before and I was a bit embarrassed. Btw, I think the dress analogy came from feeling like I'm coming out of the closet -- to the world, yes, but more importantly, to me. The Olde ways have been in my blood as far back as I can remember (my mom raised me in them), and I have been feeling drawn toward aspects of them. Now, on this path of self-designed living, I am ready to embrace the goddess's rebirth in my life -- and on the winter solstice!!!! Crazy timing :)) Reading all the Yule stories and Yule carols spoke so deeply to me. I am home ♥ The prodigal daughter :)))))"
My oldest and I enjoyed reading Yule stories about it's roots and reason, and we enjoyed singing Yule carols (traditional songs with new lyrics) together. It was an amazing Yule, both tradition and rebirth. Since I didn't have a lot of money to buy gifts this year, after unstuffing their stockings and opening gifts from a dear loved one, we talked about the things we would like to bring into our lives in the new year :)) That was an AWESOME new tradition :)))) I LOVE the idea of that all over the place :))
Since reading the stories of Yule, of the Mother Earth Goddess deeply slumbering in these cold darker days, I have been thinking of how symbolic that is of me (my deep dark hole of a funk I go into this time of year, until I am ready to climb out). And the God Sun retreats during this time of year. The winter solstice is the marking of the days starting to grow longer now -- the Sun's return :)) Coincidently, my son has been in retreat-mode, buried in watching TV shows on Netflix (mostly, the Backyardigans). After seeing my own symbolicalness of being the Earth Mama, it has been interesting to see my son in his own symbolicalness. And, yes, he has been coming back from retreat-mode slowly. He hasn't even watched "a movie" today -- we've been busy, and he's been enjoying his new toys :)) It's good to see more of him :)
My biggest wish for the new year is harmony in our family. My "other" big one is getting started creating our home on wheels. My daughter's was (besides the dog she's been begging me for, for 2 years) Littlest Pet Shop -- which my brother bought her last night :)) Noble got a Spiderman action figure. And Najaia is getting a previously-owned car/bike for little ones -- pics to come, I'm sure :))))))
Happy Holiday, whichever one you celebrate! And I will close with a song that I read here
SHARE THE LIGHT
Tune: The First Noel
On this Winter holiday, let us stop and recall
That this season is holy to one and to all.
Unto some a Son is born, unto us comes a Sun,
And we know, if they don't that all paths are one.
Chorus:
Share the light, share the light!
Share the light, share the Light!
All paths are one on this holy night!
Be it Chanukah or Yule,
Christmas time or Solstice night,
All celebrate the eternal light.
Lighted tree or burning log,
Or eight candle flames.
All gods are one god, whatever their names.
2 comments:
beautiful post, mama. that's such a great lyric re-write too! i've been feeling lately that it's fun to celebrate all the holidays, and how all of them are so light-oriented. we've been playing with light like crazy, candles and strings of lights and so on... and it's been feeling like the more holidays, the merrier and brighter lol.
I forgot to respond to this earlier! I wanted to say thank you <3 And I am really loving the lights, too! I wanna put up "Christmas lights" all over the inside of my house and backyard :)) Pretty :)))
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