Winter Solstice Revisited 2018
Me: Happy Winter Solstice to you!
Gypsy: And to you too! I’m sure you are excited about the return of the sun and longer daylight hours so you have more time to work in the garden.
Me: And that spring is just around the corner! We must certainly be half way through winter.
Gypsy: You are correct in thinking that the winter solstice is a turning point and that the days are now becoming longer. However, some consider that the winter solstice is the first day of winter.
ME: This can’t be! I just can’t wait to get started on my spring garden. I remember two years ago, I began planting spinach in January as the ground started warming up.
Gypsy: I think perhaps you remember our previous discussions on the difference between the astrological and the meteorological start of winter.
ME: Well, I have to admit it has been awhile and I am a bit fuzzy on the details. However, I see that with the days getting longer, there is hope that spring will not be long in coming. I can start ordering seeds now, get my beds in order and clean up all the trays and pots from last year. I’ve already gotten most of the leaves blown to the side of the road to pick up later.
Gypsy: Don’t forget that there is a lag in the temperature of the earth. It takes extra time for the earth to warm up in the spring. Spring doesn’t officially begin until Wednesday March 20.
ME: I prefer to think that winter starts at the beginning of December and ends in February.
Gypsy: This may be wishful thinking on your part and I hope the weather cooperates with you, but I hope you aren’t disappointed if things don’t work out that way.
ME: I’m also taking into consideration a changing climate. We had a very long warm fall last year, so wouldn’t that suggest an early spring?
Gypsy: These are all technical issues and I don’t think it would help going over all this again. I hear that you are anxious about starting another growing season. I, on the other hand, am content to sleep away the rainy cold weather next to a warm fire. I’m storing up energy for the spring when I can laze in the sun, chase birds, and climb trees. I look forward to smelling the fragrance of flowers blooming in the spring, and to hear the buzzing of bees.
ME: I suppose there is something to be said for being content with one’s station in life.
Gypsy: Are you referring to one’s social rank or position? Cats have long ago accepted our place as revered advisers to humans. We accept our role in helping humans achieve what they consider their greatness.
ME: I hope this isn’t turning into a political discussion. We have had enough Greatness lately with building the wall, and conquering the environment, much less militarizing space!
Gypsy: I wasn’t suggesting anything of the sort. This is a time of year to be celebrating the oneness of all people and beings; that we need each and every one of us to survive. The survival of the earth as an organism is in peril by the actions or should I say the inaction of humans to face the impact of their lifestyle on the survival of the earth.
ME: Yes, I have been listening to the proceedings of the UN Climate Summit in Katowice, Poland. I was particularly impressed with the speech of a 15 year old young woman from Sweden, Greta Thunberg, on DemocracyNow.org. She has been protesting on the steps of the Swedish parliament for months for failure of the Swedish parliament to deal with climate change. She believes we have reached a point of no return unless we take immediate action to curb our obsession with fossil fuels. I agree 100% and respect her courage to talk to such a large gathering. What is unique about Greta is that she has Asperger syndrome. She says that she sees things in black and white and that she doesn’t like lying. I think our politicians could learn a few things from her. Unless humans are willing to give up some of their creature comforts, I’m afraid not much will change.
Gypsy: And that is an interesting choice of words, because it isn’t the creatures that are causing CO2 emissions unless we are talking about cows and methane emissions. I notice you have been consuming less animal products and you have switched to Flax milk.
ME: Well, my doctor suggested that I may be lactose intolerant, but I also think that it is easier eating more of a plant based diet. I’ve been slowly moving in that direction. I do like that aged Gouda goat cheese that I get at the Farmer’s Market. I think that there is a place for domestic animals especially in areas of the world that have food insecurity. Goats can browse on just about anything. But when it comes to factory farms, these aren’t sustainable and the animals aren’t healthy and require antibiotics to survive.
Gypsy: Your lactose intolerance might explain some of your own emissions lately.
ME: Thanks!
Gypsy: No ill will implied, I just noticed you have been uncomfortable lately.
ME: Old age brings with it lots of problems.
Gypsy: Are you getting old?
ME: Older by the day. Not to change this topic, but I’ve been wondering about the significance of the winter solstice which comes very close to religious holidays and the New Year.
Gypsy: The Winter Solstice has been celebrated and revered by cultures around the world from ancient times. In a spiritual sense, it represents the rebirth of the sun and the powerful energy needed for the regeneration of the earth. It is also a time for self renewal and self-reflection.
ME: I notice you have been spending extra time snoozing.
Gypsy: To the uninformed, it might seem that I am just napping, but I am allowing myself to enter a special state where I do my best work.
ME: I apologize. Yes, I know: Still the body and Free the mind. Sometimes I can be most creative when I’m not trying. And I know you have important work to do in regard to world peace. What else can you tell me about the Winter Solstice?
Gypsy: It isn’t any coincidence that the Winter Solstice falls a few days before Christmas and the New Year. It was referred to as Yule in past time and represents the Goddess Moon Energy giving birth to the sun. By extension, it also represents the birth of Jesus, the son of God. But it is also symbolic of the birth of the spiritual sun within each being, human and otherwise, and reinforces that we are not separate from the creator, but divine beings in our own right.
ME: I feel that rebirth when I work in the garden and am in contact with the natural world.
Gypsy: Yes, but the solstice is also an important time for quiet introspection and an opportunity to look within yourself and focus on what you want and need. It is a good time to set goals and intentions for the coming year, to examine and let go of our past, and to make changes within ourselves.
ME: I guess you could say that the solstice is about a personal awakening within ourselves.
Gypsy: Couldn’t have been better said.
ME: With a little help from you. I always appreciate your awareness of the spiritual nature of such common events in our lives.
Gypsy: The changing of the seasons is a perfect time to reflect on the nature of life: we are all born and die. The significance of the solstice is that we are continually being reborn spiritually every year and each day. We go to sleep each day and wake up to a new opportunity to do good in this world.
ME: I’m glad we could take this time to share in the meaning of this special time of year. I wish you a very special holiday and New Year.
Gypsy: And may many blessings come your way too!