Winter Solstice

One of my favorite days of the year, Winter Solstice has arrived. Dan and I are lucky enough to be able to both have it off this year. We had plans to go snow shoeing however a big snowstorm came through last night and we have about 12" of snow. We did spend a little time shoveling and playing in the front yard. Important to soak in the nature on this very important day.

I'm making a chicken with celery, onions, carrots, and seasoning (thank you CrockPot for your lovely assistance). I will also cook up cream cheese and garlic mashed white sweet potatoes and roasted agave carrots. A day to celebrate the bounty of the fall and fill our bellies for the coming darker and leaner months. Ok, we'll most likely not experience a famine as in the older days during the winter months, but it's a great day to really celebrate the returning of the sun. New beginnings.

"The winter solstice may have been immensely important because communities were not certain of living through the winter, and had to be prepared during the previous nine months. Starvation was common in winter between January and April, also known as the famine months. In temperate climates, the midwinter festival was the last feast celebration, before deep winter began. Most cattle were slaughtered so they would not have to be fed during the winter, so it was almost the only time of year when a supply of fresh meat was available. The majority of wine and beer made during the year was finally fermented and ready for drinking at this time. The concentration of the observances were not always on the day commencing at midnight or at dawn, but the beginning of the pre-Romanized day, which falls on the previous eve.

Since the event is seen as the reversal of the Sun's ebbing presence in the sky, concepts of the birth or rebirth of sun gods have been common and, in cultures using winter solstitially based cyclic calendars, the year as reborn has been celebrated with regard to life-death-rebirth deities or new beginnings such as Hogmanay's redding, a New Year cleaning tradition. In Greek mythology, the gods and goddesses met on the winter and summer solstice, and Hades is permitted to enter Mount Olympus (his domain is the underworld so he of course does not get accepted any other time). Also reversal is yet another usual theme as in Saturnalia's slave and master reversals." Wikipedia

We all tend to slow down and reflect on our past year during this time. We celebrate the year coming to a close and dream big of what's to come. I've decided not to have any yearly resolutions or goals this new year. Being the perfectionist and the full time working mom with limited time that I am, I don't want to restrict myself into a particular goal to strive for. If I don't reach it, I would feel bad, plus I would put myself under too much pressure when I have other priorities that may be more important.

What is important is making little changes to our routine to incorporate more exercise, more meditation, and healthy foods. It's not a goal to start January 1st, it's life style routines to continuously improve. Dan and I may have different ways we will approach this, however as a couple we can gain so much together in support. It's exciting to feel a new year starting. What are your plans?

Swimming in this Sea of Life,
La Sirena