The Birth

Beneath the sacred oak

Where the cold earth yields to slumber

And the only heartbeat

Is the sole call of the wild,

There lies a darkened hollow

Where our Mother lies in waiting,

Waiting for her labour

To bring forth the Solstice Child.

From 'Mrs Darley's Pagan Whispers'

Winter Solstice

Tomorrow (22nd) at 5.30am marks the point of the Winter Solstice. The word solstice actually means 'the standing still of the sun' and for a few days following this event the sun appears not to move. On or around the 25th December however it gradually begins to stay for a moment or two longer in the sky and once again begins its journey back to full strength in the Northern hemisphere.

This is the time according to legend that the Holly and the Oak king do battle for the second time in the year, but this time it is the Oak king who wins and leads us joyfully towards the summer.

May the solstice bring you many blessings.

Taken from 'MrsDarley's Pagan Whispers

Saturnalia

The Roman festival of Saturnalia fell on the 17th December and was a time when shops and schools closed, gambling was allowed in the public domain and gifts of candles were exchanged as symbols of light.

Groups of male friends would draw lots to see who would be crowned 'king' and this person was then in charge of wild party games - this was definitely a time of misrule and lasted between 2-7 days after the religious ceremony on the 17th. No doubt we can reinstate this ancient festival as an excuse to begin the seasonal festivities early!

Read more in 'Mrs Darley's Pagan Whispers'

Mistletoe Magic

Mistletoe has always been seen as the true magical feminine partner to holly's masculine. Occasionally however mistletoe has been referred to as masculine due to the fact that the white berries are symbolic of semen, whilst the red berries of holly represent menstrual blood.

Regardless of which gender, if any, you prefer it does not detract from the fact that the Druids considered mistletoe to be a gift from the Gods and as such it was highly revered and handed out to the community during religious ceremonies where it was referred to as 'all heal'.

Today its healing properties are recognised by homeopaths as it is used in the treatment of certain cancers. It is also a protective plant and if worn around the neck, is said to confer invisibility!

From 'Mrs Darley's Pagan Whispers'

Striking a Balance

As we look to bring seasonal greenery into our homes I will explore the myth and legend behind holly, ivy and mistletoe in the next 2-3 blogs.
An old Saxon tradition states that if you bring more 'he' holly into the home (without berries) then the man of the house will rule during the coming year, but if you have more 'she' holly (with berries) then the woman will rule for the following 12 months. Perhaps what we should all strive for is a balance between the two for sexual and emotional harmony?
Read more in 'Mrs Darley's Pagan Whispers'

December skies

December brings the year to a close and provides us with heavenly excitement.

The 10th offers us a lunar eclipse which is visible throughout Europe, East Africa, Asia, Austrailia, the Pacific and North America. The moon rises at 15.51 GMT and will appear above the eastern horizon already fully eclipsed as a dull red orb, but you will be able to watch the shadow of the earth uncovering it if the afternoon is clear.

The 13 and 14th bring the Geminids meteor shower, which many consider to be the best one as they can produce up to 60 multicoloured meteors per hour. Best viewing is in the east after midnight.

The 22nd is the Winter Solstice at 5.30am GMT. This is the shortest day of the year, the first day of winter and a celebration of the return of the sun. May the season bring many blessings.

The Oak Moon

The new crescent is now visible in the night sky. This is the Celtic Oak Moon which takes us up to and beyond the Winter Solstice. This was an appropriate name for the December moon as it was the time that the symbolic battle between the oak and the holly kings took place and the oak king won, signifying the return to the light.

Oak trees were sacred to the Celts as many of their religious ceremonies were carried out in oak lined groves. This Moon completed the Celtic lunar cycle and personified strength, stamina, life, death and rebirth.

From 'Mrs Darley's Moon Mysteries'