Winter Solstice Fairy

This is my Winter Solstice Fairy.  I bought her last year on sale after Christmas.  She had been waiting for me.  See, before Christmas when I first saw her, she had a sister with her, but after, it was just her, waiting to come home with me.  I put her away with the Christmas decorations.

Last weekend, I took her out of the ornaments box. Valerie asked, "What's that?"  "The Winter Solstice Fairy," I replied, avoiding eye contact with Hubby, "let's put her on the tree up by the star."  "Yeah!" said Valerie.

So there she sits, watching us all and I expect, dancing very quickly, as I could not seem to take a photo of her in focus.

I don't really "do" fairies.  Well, besides the tooth fairy, and I have mixed feelings about her (as well as Santa and the E.B.).  But for the past few years, I have quietly been celebrating the Winter Solstice.  Since I dropped out of religion (I am a seriously lapsed Catholic), I have struggled a bit to find meaning in Christmas, especially since having kids.  I love the holiday season for the family warmth and giving of all kinds, but while I enjoy the story of Jesus, Joseph and Mary in Bethlehem, it doesn't have the same meaning for me now as it did in the Christmas Eve midnight mass-going days of my youth.

But, the Winter Solstice?  I think it speaks to my ancient Celtic blood.  It seems so simple, scientific, but with the awe of the universe that takes it to a metaphysical level.  The day with the least minutes of sunlight, and the longest night.  After this, there is more light each day, until the Summer Solstice in June.  For the ancients, that meant warming weather, growing crops, animals being born, anticipation of easier days ahead, perhaps.

And that's what I reflect on today.  In the midst of the stress of trying to get everything ready for the big holiday, Winter Solstice is a time to think about the bigger picture.

So, I am wishing you peace and tranquility on this Winter Solstice day! Wherever you are in your life, your dream, your to-do list, I encourage you to take a moment today to reflect on the bigger picture. Slow down long enough to sip a cup of tea. Spread some love.

Just remember, there will be light!


(Oops!  Today is actually the solstice--Dec. 21, 2013!)