Winter Solstice 

10:27 p.m. Thursday, December 21, 2023

 

The Winter Solstice…is the shortest day of the year.  Long ago it was believed on that day the Sun stood still in the sky.  Then, the next day, the Sun continued on his journey; and the days began to lengthen!

The word Solstice evolved to Middle English, from Old French from Latin solstitium, from Latin (combination of sol, the sun, and stitium, to stand still.)

 

Paperbark Maple in Winter

Photo by C.D’I

It sifts from leaden sieves,
It powders all the wood,
…

On stump and stack and stem, —
The summer’s empty room,
…

It ruffles wrists of posts,
As ankles of a queen, —
…

Emily Dickinson

 Tuesday, October 31, 2023  

5:39 p.m.

Samhain

          …begins at  sundown…when the veil between the two worlds is most pervious.

            This third and last of the three pagan Autumn harvest festivals acknowledges a time of cleansing and preparation for the darkness of Winter.  It is the most important of the four greater Sabbats. 

 

Monoprint:

“Muntins Series IV … Moon Shadow”

 

"All to myself, I think of you.

Think of the things we used to do,

think of the things we used to say,

think of each happy yesterday.

Sometimes I sigh, and sometimes I smile;

but I keep each olden, golden while

All to my self."

Wilbur Dick Nesbit 

American, 1871-1927  

Summer Solstice – Midsummer

Tuesday, June 21, 2023  

    Sunrise: 5:07a.m.  

Sunset: 8:25 p.m.

 

One of the four solar holidays; the turning point

at which summer reaches its height,

 and the sun shines longest. 

 

"SUNBEAM"  (monoprint) 

Good Day Sunshine

I need to laugh, and when the sun is out
I've got something I can laugh about.
I feel good, in a special way
…

Paul McCartney