Merry Yule and Happy Winter Solstice

To all my Pagan and Wiccan friends and readers... and for me!
Merry Yule!

This year has seemed a bit different. The Solstice usually falls on December 21st. But it can fall on any date between the 19th and the 22nd. This year is one of those years. I had numerous friends that celebrated the holiday yesterday, on the date specific day: December 21st. But does it really matter?

Yesterday I stopped by my friend's wine shop; Two Corks & a Bottle, for a quick drink and we got to talking about the holidays. John asked me how I celebrate Yule. I responded by telling him the meaning of the solstice and the beginning of the days getting longer and how for the ancient peoples in the far northern hemisphere it really is the "rebirth of the sun". It is about celebrating the darkness and being grateful for your stores of food that you would plant and harvest the rest of the year. So, keeping those things in mind I celebrate with candles and with evergreens, holly and ivy and things that keep living through the winter. I enjoy and share my food and drink with friends and loved ones.

I will burn a Yule log and burn and with it all the negativity from the past year. I will think on and wish for the things I would like in the coming year.

On my drive home the NPR station had on a Hanukkah story feature. Stories and memories of traditions and how people share and celebrate this holiday. I thought this was very interesting.

So to all of my friends; however you celebrate; whatever day you celebrate.... I wish you the happiness and love that you deserve.