On the Eve Of the winter solstice Sun, Dec 21, 2008

[scott snedeker]

Sol-stice = sun-stationary,
because the sun rises and sets in the same spot for a few days.
This is the longest night and shortest day of the year,
here in the northern hemisphere.
(The southern hemisphere is celebrating Summer Solstice at the same moment.)
From this day on, the days will get longer.

This phenomenon is a direct result
of the Earth-Sun relationship.
At winter solstice, Sun is at its lowest point:
the longest night, the most profound descent into the dark,
and a subsequent turning of the cycle,
a return to the Light.

Thus a moment of REBIRTH,
return and renewal of the life force are signaled.
Light begins to grow once again.

This is why all cultures on this planet, since long ago,
have celebrated this moment in one way or another.
To safeguard & tend to the sacred fire of Life,
to keep hope alive,
to acknowledge the ever-renewing power of Nature
& and all living things,
to assure the Return of our day star, the Sun.





Through the returning Light of our star, Sol,
we cultivate our inner light in these times of dark.
Let the Light within go forth
Let the Light gather and spread
from each point and across this Planet
and way beyond still,
creating a great Web of Light.
May Light be distributed through
our every feeling, thought, word & deed.

May all find their place, their Light & peace,
their earthly and spiritual nourishment.

Visualize clearly a circle of light
which englobes our entire planet.
Send our support, love, gratitude and light thru this circle.

May our circle here in cyber-space thus form
a consecrated space.
May each of us become aware of and enter into resonance
with the sacred beneficial energies of our universe.
May we resonate with & distribute these energies always,
by cultivating mindfulness and love.


So Be It.


Solstice 2008 =
Sunday, Dec 21, at 12:05 pm (noon)
Universal Time (UT/GMT)


Differences from Universal Time are as follows:

Hawaii & Alaska = -10 hours (except Juneau = -8)
PST (California,etc) = -8
MST (Colorado,etc & San Salvador) = -7
CST (Texas, Illinois, northwest Indiana, etc) & Mexico City = -6
EST (Eastern states, etc) Toronto, Montreal, Asuncion & Santiago = -5
Rio de Janeiro & Montevideo = -3
London, Lagos, Reykjavik, Casablanca = 0 hour
Geneva, Algiers, Rome, Berlin, Paris, Madrid = +1
Moscow, Athens, Helsinki, Jerusalem, Johannesburg, Istanbul = +2
Nairobi, Bagdad = +3
Tehran = +3 and a half
Calcutta & New Delhi = +5 and a half
Dhaka = +6
Rangoon = +6 and a half
Hanoi, Bangkok & Jakarta = +7
Hong Kong, Perth, Beijing & Kuala Lumpur = + 8
Seoul & Tokyo = +9
Brisbane, Canberra & Melbourne = +10
Wellington = +12

[keltic63]

sometimes I can't see what is directly in front of me. Thank you Scotty! for showing me what I've been feeling for weeks now.

I kept looking at that particular date, wanting to do something, celebrate, spend time with my own Scott, perhaps have a quiet dinner at an expensive restaurant. It really is something within us that feels drawn to honor this event in the cycle of the year.

time to nurture that light!

[Rick336]

So basically this means that the tilting of the axis is "the reason for the season."

Makes sense.

Rick

[scott snedeker]

So we danced around the bonfire with awsome drum rhythms. Cuddled in a puppy pile of beautiful loving faeries, and of course, sanctified the point of the days to lengthening with sex!

It's fun to be a pagan! http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1211/1397828920_2ea3d56388_o.jpg

[Rick336]

It's fun to be a pagan!

Looks like a good time. :)

I'm an atheist that loves Christmas. In fact, I love Christmas more than any Christian I know. The stereotype that all atheists hate Christmas is as absurd as believing that all house painters are alcoholics.

No matter how much everybody hopes there's an afterlife, there's absolutely no evidence that it exists. None. So we better make our heaven in this life.

So, if it feels good, do it, no matter what others may think. If it's fun to be a Pagan or a faerie or a Christian or a Buddhist or whatever, as long as you aren't hurting anybody else then knock yourself out.

Happy Holidays.

Rick

[Ceallaigh]

We Gael celebrate the 4 period solar year. A belated happy solar new you to you!!!

[dsdrane]

This is why all cultures on this planet, since long ago,
have celebrated this moment in one way or another.
To safeguard & tend to the sacred fire of Life,
to keep hope alive,
to acknowledge the ever-renewing power of Nature
& and all living things,
to assure the Return of our day star, the Sun.


"Our day star"...I love that!

I do love this time of year...the northern hemisphere reaching its apogee and then coming back for another pass...as certain as the tides. Perhaps it's my northern European roots showing...?

I find it interesting that, here in the U.S., we time our political transitions during this period -- particularly presidential transitions. We vote as the year is winding down, and inaugurate as the new year starts up.

Does anyone know if this was a conscious decision by the Founders...or a cool coincidence?

[BenL]

I find it interesting that, here in the U.S., we time our political transitions during this period -- particularly presidential transitions. We vote as the year is winding down, and inaugurate as the new year starts up.

Does anyone know if this was a conscious decision by the Founders...or a cool coincidence?

Inaugurations were usually in March until the 1930s. FDR's first inaugural in 1933 was on March 4. His second, in 1937, was the first one held on Jan. 20, the current date. Check out this U.S. Senate page for a chronology of inaugural Facts & Firsts (http://inaugural.senate.gov/history/factsandfirsts/index.cfm).

[scott snedeker]

So many things follow our planet's orbit. I think our patterns reflect it. Pagan belief centers on, and personifies, the influences of natural forces. Ancient wisdom rewards awareness of these forces with abundance and survival. Planting at the optimum time. Conceiving in early spring so that mothers will be their fattest after harvest to support both her and her child. It is also when her work will be least missed by the tribe.

Using personified models of these natural forces helps a people to focus on this tool so as better to learn. We are born to these rhythms and flourish when we are in tune with them and let go of living counter to them.

Affirmation of loving and appreciation of this cradle of nature that brought us in to being warms and livens our emotions and we thrive. Inner reflection while releasing outer distractions opens our awareness of this true nature. Loving kindness is awakened in mothers and fathers by the gift of their child. This is the first best innocent spiritual aura with which each of us begins.

It can be awakened again. Some how awakening lovngkindness protects us from inner and outer danger. Random threats to our well being become averted or softened by us and those who want to see us be safe. Mailcious intent toward us weakens, as our activation of lovingkindness in folks who see themselves as our enemies, is starved of fuel.

Lately I find it more and more difficult to eat meat. The violence to another living creature for my enjoyment and sustenance rubs raw on my inner peace, and gratification is changed into revulsion. I sense the desire of life to flourish and can best vaguely characterize this as .....an awareness distinct from but connected to me...and that it is loving and nuturing.