Solstice

[tinhuviel]

Last night Aunt Tudi and I attended the Women's Circle Solstice observance. It was very peaceful and laid back, exactly what anyone needs during this hectic time of year. ealdthryth was there, which was wonderful. It's always so good to see her, especially since I so rarely see her now! We caught up on things not reflected in our journal and she told me about Minerva. Eldred is taking her passing extremely hard, it seems, and my heart goes out to both of them for the loss of their eldest cat.

The majority of the service was singing. I swear, we should have bundled up and gone carolling. Not only would it have been just damned festive, but it would have also been funny as hell to see the looks on people's faces when they realised that the traditional lyrics to these songs had been replaced with Pagan-centric and Goddess-centric words. Now, a lot of people would find the alteration of these carols in such a way wrong on many levels, but I think it's simply poetic justice. If the Christians could adopt so many Pagan practices centuries ago in order to enhance their own holiday and encourage the country folk to convert, then it's only right that modern Pagans can adopt traditionally Christian songs and adapt them accordingly for our own holiday. If you ask me, it all balances out.

The next service if Imbolc, or Candlemas as the GUUF folks call it, and it will be a morning service led by ealdthryth. I've offered my services in any way and am rather looking forward to the holiday. For some reason I've yet to understand, I have always held a deep affinity for Imbolc. Maybe it's because of the emphasis on Brighid, but I think it goes deeper than that.

To anyone who may read this post, Happy Solstice to you!

Comments

[falkenna.livejournal.com]

Isn't that funny, when I was rigorously celebrating all the festivals, Imbolc always ended up being special to me, I always ended up writing the ritual. Something about fire--Brigid--the first real promise that winter would end--snowdrops--seeing real live gamboling lambs at that time, which anchored me to the reality of the festival within the life cycle.

I especially love the carols that don't need changing, much or at all. Deck the Halls. The Holly and the Ivy (which must have older words, it's just too obvious).

[tinhuviel.livejournal.com]

We sang "Deck the Halls" last night as a matter of fact. I think that and "Dona Nobis Pacem" were the highlights of the evening, music-wise.