Today is the Winter Solstice. Winter is desolate and dark and cold. Grey. Quiet. In the far northern hemisphere, where my family hails from, the days are short and glancing. The harsh light and landscape gets dimmer and the light slower to rise and then, we celebrate. In Scandinavia, this is the celebration of light. When the winter solstice comes it is the darkest day of the year - the shortest day and the longest night - and we can begin to watch the days grow longer, the light glow brighter. The colors of summer wouldn't be what they are without this rest. And so we celebrate and sing. Sankta Lucia
Songs and PoetryThe celebration now represents so much aside from the historic religious connection. I remember it as a small child as a magical and mysterious time. All the children would participate in a peaceful and beautiful procession dressed in long white robes each carrying a candle. Sankta Lucia was represented by the oldest girl who wore a red sash and a wreath of candles in her hair. Elsa Beskow is one of my favorite authors and illustrators. Her sketch above gives the sense of the tradition. And, the lovely song that we sing is so beautiful - both the haunting melody and the poetic lyrics:
Meditation with Molten Glass
The Winter Solstice Glass Collection
Happy Solstice and let there be light! See you on the other side…
~Miriam
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AuthorMiriam Carlson-Maier Archives
December 2016
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