Category: Holidays

Holidays

12/21 'The Light', Winter Solstice

‘The Light’, Winter Solstice at New Grange, County Meath, Ireland photograph by Alan Betson

Only on Winter Solstice each year will the sunrise create this beautiful warm glow in the depths of the chamber at New Grange. In complete darkness (the womb or void) one sits in quiet contemplation until the sun’s first rays bring the renewal of sweet light and life. A reminder of the all the blessing it brings for another season. The photo looks a bit like ‘light at the end of a tunnel’, or ‘a star at the top of an evergreen tree’. Spectacular!

Message… the Light increases multifold this day. Open to receive the blessings which are pouring forth. Come to me I await you. Let us dance in joy and celebrate the Glory and Majesty of God. Be of good cheer for it comes. Rejoice!

Celebration abounds…

12/21 – Winter begins, the shortest day and longest night of the year. Winter Solstice (12:04 am UTC).

Yule, Pagan and Wiccan holiday which ushers in the return of Light. It celebrates the return of the Sun God. It is a time of enlightenment, when light is reborn in the womb of darkness to begin another cycle.

The lighting of the Yule log (usually oak or pine), is a traditional custom for the Holiday. It symbolizes and honors the Sun God. Some of the log is kept to begin next years yule fire.
During Yule homes are decorated with fresh evergreens, holly, ivy and mistletoe commemorating the coming of light and life. Fresh greenery in winter is seen as a magical tool of growth. Yule is a reminder that the ultimate product of death is rebirth. The celebrations include much laughter, singing, dancing and feasting.

The painting above left is called ‘Winter Solstice Fire Lord’ by Steven Lucas (2008). Amazing, powerful image. I hear him say “Come within, warm self and dance with me… renew.” Magnificent! You can read Steven’s blog or see more of his works at fineartamerica.com.

12/21 to 12/25 – Pancha Ganapati, Hindu festival celebrating Lord Ganesha the Five-Faced Maha Ganapati – Lord of Categories. The celebration is five days of festivities, feasts charity and gift-giving. Daily chants, songs and bhajanas are sung and trays of sweets, fruits and incense are offered. After the daily puja, sweets are shared. Gifts are given to the children each day, who put them before Pancha Ganapati, all are saved to open on the the last day. The festival is centered on restoring peace, love, harmony and bringing joy and happiness. Image is Lord Ganesha. More at hinduismtoday.com.

12/21 to 12/29 – Chanukah the Festival of Lights, eight-day Jewish festival that begins on the eve of Kislev 25, celebrates the triumph of light over darkness, of purity over adulteration, of spirituality over materiality. The menorha (a nine-branched candelabra) is lit nightly, starting with a single flame plus the shamash on the first night. Two on the second and so on until all eight lights plus the shamash are kindled. The holiday traditions include eating foods fried in oil, such as latkes (potato pancakes), dreidel games and “gelt,” gifts of money. Image is a menorha. More at chabad.org.

12/21 to 1/9 – Soyala New Year Festival, Hopi, Pueblo and Zuni American Indian tribes consider this a time of purification and renewal. The Soyala symbolizes the second phase of Creation at the dawn of life. One of the most sacred celebrations which honors the beginning of a new cycle. Activities take place in the kiva and include reverent silence, fasting, humility and eating of sacred foods to achieve spiritual focus. Prayer feathers are prepared and placed in homes, villages and in shrine sites around the ancestral homeland. Picture is of the Hopi Soyal Kachina who comes in December. More brownielocks.com.

May the Light renew you and yours on this sacred day. Happy Holidays!

The photo of the 2003 Winter Solstice sunrise at New Grange, Ireland is by Alan Betson, from Dunboyne, Co. Meath, Ireland. The photo was printed on the front page of The Irish Times newspaper on the 22nd December 2003. You can find out more about Alan at gaelicweb.com.

There is a webcast of the 2007 Winter Solstice sunrise at New Grange, Ireland available at newgrange.com.

~Bonnee Klein Gilligan

December 21, 2008
12/20 Let it Snow, Emilie-Claire Barlow

‘Let it Snow’ performed by Emilie-Claire Barlow

Jazzy, swinging and fun. Wonderful! Found this jewel yesterday on Youtube. Right now many places are covered in snow, ice or cold rain… the weather outside is indeed frightful. So let’s stay inside… happy, warm and dry. Make some hot chocolate or mulled cider, wrap up in a blanket, surrounded by family and friends or alone with a wonderful book. Or even better, in quiet communion with God… giving thanks for all the blessings showered upon us in every moment. Thank you beloved Creator for your blessing of snow. It’s sooooo beautiful!!!!!

Emilie-Claire Barlow, song: Let it Snow, Album: Winter Wonderland (2006), Label: Empress Music Group Inc, Video: Clip from Canada AM (CTV).

‘Let it Snow’ also known as ‘Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow!‘ was written by Sammy Cahn and composed by Jule Styne in 1945. It is one of the most popular songs of all-time . Was first recorded by Vaughn Monroe in 1946 and went to number one the following year.

12/17/08 Let it Snow… in Las Vegas, Nevada? The Luxor is covered with snow in a rare storm which blanketed the city with 3.6″. Photo by Ethan Miller/ Getty Images North America. You can see more photos of the Vegas snow by Ethan at zimbo.com. A lovely gift for the Holidays.

Have a warm, dry, happy day and a Blessed Holiday!

Emilie-Claire Barlow born June 6, 1976 in Canada is a jazz singer and actress. She began singing at age seven, spent 5 years at Etobicoke School of the Arts, then continued her studies at Humber College. While at Humber she formed a jazz quartet and performed around Toronto. In 1998 she released her first CD: Emilie-Claire Barlow – SINGS. You can read her blog or learn more at emilieclairebarlow.com or myspace emilieclairebarlow.

~Bonnee Klein Gilligan

December 20, 2008
12/19 Forrest Illumination

‘Forest Illumination’ photo by T. Credner & S. Kohle

Forest Illumination is my name for this incredible photo of a being of light illuminating the forest. A bright aura and halo surround the head with light radiating from the crown. A masterful being indeed. Is this a fairy, elf, angel or other being of light? Or perhaps it’s Creator’s way of displaying the light of one’s own energy field? What ever it is… it is amazing and magical!

Enjoy the Glory and Wonder of the Holidays all year!

‘Glory and Specter of the Brocken’ is the name Credner and Kohle called this photo. They say about it:

“The above image was taken in a foggy forest on Tenerife island, May 2000. With the sun in the back the own shadow could be seen in the fog, the so called Specter of the Brocken. The surrounding bright ring is a Glory, an effect of back scattered light from small water droplets. You can see more of their wonderful photos at allthesky.com.

Atmospheric Optics gives this scientific explanation: “The Brocken Spectre appears when a low sun is behind a climber who is looking downwards into mist from a ridge or peak. The “spectre” is the shadowy figure – the glow and rings are a glory centered directly opposite the sun at the antisolar point. The “Spectre of the Brocken” is named because of sightings on the Brocken, the highest peak of Germany’s Harz Mountains. The spectre sometimes appears to be huge. This is probably caused by the presence of the glory and the mist obscuring more familiar reference points with which to judge its size. Forest glory can appear provided there is a mist of fairly uniform sized droplets, glories can be found in many places.

Photo above left is a Brocken Spectre and Glory taken by Vincent Lowe at Hopegill Head, Lake District National Park, England.

~Bonnee Klein Gilligan

December 19, 2008
12/18 The 12 Days Of Christmas, John Denver
‘The 12 Days Of Christmas’ John Denver & The Muppets

Wonderful, happy and fun! I love this clever rendition, makes me laugh and smile. Used to watch the Muppets’ Christmas specials every year, so is a walk down memory lane for me. Hope you enjoy it.

John Denver, Song: The 12 Days of Christmas, TV special: A Christmas Together with John Denver and The Muppets (1979). Nominated for an Emmy and winner of the Director’s Guild Award for Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Musical Variety. If you’d like to own a copy on DVD you can buy it at missedmovies.com. Words: vary widely, Music: Traditional English, 18th Century carol.

‘The 12 Days of Christmas’ is traditionally attributed to England but may have a French origin. Date of first performance is unknown, however it was sung as early as 16th century in Europe and Scandinavia. The chant may have had it’s origins as a ‘memory and forfeits’ game where the person who forgets the verse has to pay penalty of a kiss or sweet.

The actual 12 days of Christmas are usually December 26 through January 6 in England. Sometimes Christmas Day is included as one of the 12 days, sometimes not. Most often the 12 days are attributed to the twelve days from the birth of Christ (Christmas, December 25) to the coming of the Magi (Epiphany, January 6, or the Twelfth Day). You can learn more about the song at Hymns and Carols of Christmas or wikipedia.

My 12 Days of Christmas – This year the Holidays are very tight financially so I decided to make all my gifts and pamper myself while I’m at it. Went to a local art gallery, saw a lovely leather bag I would have loved to buy. Its’ cost $1,500. Rather then grumbling about the price, it inspired me to create my own and one for a friend too. Mine is still in the works, photo right is the other one.

This year my Christmas will be filled with wonderful treats, songs, love and things which make me smile. Just for fun, wrote about my inexpensive indulgences to the tune of the 12 Days of Christmas. It goes something like this…
- On the first day of Christmas, I made this gift for me, a handmade leather satchel
- On the second day of Christmas, I whipped this up for me, two pecan pies and a handmade leather satchel
- On the third day of Christmas, I’ll do this just for me, three pedicures, two pecan pies and a handmade leather satchel
- On the fourth day of Christmas, I’ll do this just for me, four manicures, three pedicures, two pecan pies and a handmade leather satchel
- On the fifth day of Christmas, I bought a gift for me, five chocolate bars, four manicures, three pedicures, two pecan pies and a handmade leather satchel
- On the sixth day of Christmas, I’ll make this just for me, six gourmet dinners, five chocolate bars, four manicures, three pedicures, two pecan pies and a handmade leather satchel
- On the seventh day of Christmas, I gave this gift to me, seven candles burning, six gourmet dinners, five chocolate bars, four manicures, three pedicures, two pecan pies and a handmade leather satchel
- On the eighth day of Christmas, I promised this to me, eight fragrant baths, seven candles burning, six gourmet dinners, five chocolate bars, four manicures, three pedicures, two pecan pies and a handmade leather satchel
- On the ninth day of Christmas I made a treat for me, nine hot spiced ciders, eight fragrant baths, seven candles burning, six gourmet dinners, five chocolate bars, four manicures, three pedicures, two pecan pies and a handmade leather satchel
- On the tenth day of Christmas, I whipped this up for me, ten oatmeal cookies, nine hot spiced ciders, eight fragrant baths, seven candles burning, six gourmet dinners, five chocolate bars, four manicures, three pedicures, two pecan pies and a handmade leather satchel
- On the eleventh day of Christmas, I promised this to me, eleven crackling fires, ten oatmeal cookies, nine hot spiced ciders, eight fragrant baths, seven candles burning, six gourmet dinners, five chocolate bars, four manicures, three pedicures, two pecan pies and a handmade leather satchel
- On the twelfth day of Christmas, I bought a gift for me, twelve lovely flowers, eleven crackling fires, ten oatmeal cookies, nine hot spiced ciders, eight fragrant baths, seven candles burning, six gourmet dinners, five chocolate bars, four manicures, three pedicures, two pecan pies and a handmade leather satchel
Have a wonderful Holiday! May your days be filled with treasures!

John Denver given name Henry John Deutschendorf, Jr. (December 31, 1943 – October 12, 1997), born in Roswell, New Mexico was a singer, songwriter, performer, actor, environmentalist and humanitarian. At eleven he was given his grandmother’s guitar, took guitar lessons and joined the boy’s choir. At twenty he pursued his dream career and the rest is history. You can read more about him at: johndenver.com or wikipedia.

The photo above left of Christmas Bling is by Light. Light Traveler (August 1946 – July 2003) photographer, Reiki Master/Teacher, spiritual seeker and beautiful loving Spirit. You can see more and purchase his beautiful photography at Light Traveler’s gallery.

~Bonnee Klein Gilligan
December 18, 2008
12/17 Creator's Wheel

Creator’s Wheel photograph by Steinar Midtskogen

Creator’s Wheel is my name for the beautiful display of Light in this photo. The scientific name is Moilanen arc, diamond dust ice crystals refract light into a wheel around the sun. Magnificent winter display of Light dancing through Creation. A magical gift, thank you beloved Creator!

Creator’s Wheel is seen as a written symbol in many ancient traditions and known by many names. The image of a circle with a cross may be called a sunwheel, solar cross, ring cross, Celtic cross, Nordic cross, Odin’s cross, medicine wheel or something other. By what ever name, I believe it was originally inspired by a similar glorious display… a Solar Cross indeed.

In the American Indian tradition the Medicine Wheel is the wheel of life, it represents harmony and connection. It is a symbol of peaceful interaction between all living beings. When the four directions are in balance all is well with the world.

Symbolically the equal armed cross represents the physical realm or Earth. It also represents masculine. The four arms of the cross are sometimes said to represent the elements (earth, air, fire and water) or the directions (north, south, east and west). The circle represents the ethers or Heaven, the moon and feminine. So when drawn together the circle and cross represents the Union of Heaven and Earth or the Divine Marriage.

On 12/15/08 Creator gave us another display of a beautiful sun wheel in Faribault, MN. The photo left was taken by Chris Haws.

Chris says… “This was the longest lasting sun halo/sundogs I have ever seen. Started in the early morning and continued until early afternoon. Air temp was down to -8 at one point with wind chills ranging from -20 to -30. I couldn’t help myself to stand outside (and from inside) and take in the glory of the sun halo, sundogs and the circumzenithal arc. Cold days like these manage to sneak in a reward here and there.”

Thank you beloved Creator so many wonders!

Creator’s Wheel is a reminder of the Sacredness of all… every breath, every word, every step, every feeling, every thought… everything is Sacred.

Happy Holy-day!

Photograph by Steinar Midtskogen Oslo, Norway December 2007. You can learn more about the Moilanen arc at Atmospheric Optics.

~Bonnee Klein Gilligan

December 17, 2008