I have been feeling the weight of the short days and dark nights. Wrapping up our first whole year as farmers has been interesting. Intense moments of extreme frustration and system failures combined with those moments I live for, at the farmers market when a mother with her three children approaches our table and thanks us for growing healthy food for her family, has had me up and down, tired and exhilarated. It is those instances of the light, strung together, that has founded this vision of our farm and is helping me figure out where it is going in the next phases of development. The solstice is beginning to have greater and greater meaning for me as I become more centered and rooted to my sense of place and service to the Earth and my community. This year we celebrated by hosting new friends and old friends for a potluck and bonfire. Standing around the flames, watching the connections growing among these people, a season worth of brush burning on a future garden site, lit me up and fueled me to move forward with my visions. A fire cleanse on the darkest day, my passion and energy has been renewed and I am ready for the year to come.
How did you celebrate the solstice?
I blog more about my farm ventures and feasts, inspirations and all things permaculture at Phoenix Hill Farm.
Lovely post and photo. Thank you.
My Solstice celebration was low-key. I knit meditatively by candlelight after everyone had gone to bed.
What a wonderful celebration. My daughter and I were talking today about working over the next several years (and especially before a new generation starts showing up) to bring our holiday traditions more in line with our actual beliefs, and away from the societially-imposed Christian overlay. Happy Sun Return!
Lovely post! I spent my evening with friends by candle and firelight.