It’s 23 degrees and 27 minutes off the perpendicular to the plane of the orbit. This planetary pose is what causes all the variety of our climate; all the drama and poetry of our seasons, since it determines how many hours and minutes each hemisphere receives precious light. 525,600 minutes and 1440 of them a few times a year are so very important…..of course i am talking about December 21st, 2000 @ 3:37am CST….yes Winter Solstice!!!!!

Make the holidays “yours” - you do not have to be bitter about the way commercialism has taken over the rituals of candles, Yule logs, wreaths, holly, ivy, Yule trees, mistletoe, fertility rites, fire festivals with offerings to the Gods and Goddesses……….you can make it “your” holiday…go from Winter Solstice to Yule right on into New Years - make it a 10+ day celebration. After all, it is a reflecting and re-birth kinda thing to do.

Many religions have taken from the Druids, Celts, and Norse to form their own sacred day but even the earlier churches relied on the sun and moon and stars just to tell them when their holidays were coming. Here are a couple of Web sites that are very informative on the situation and do not forget to check out the Yule Cat!!!!!!!! Bjork? i hope you did your chores =)

Check out these sites:
www.candlegrove.com
www.circlesanctuary.org

So i wish you all Happy Yule and May your drum circles be blessed and the fires burn long and your bellies be full, and the children smile, and the wood spirits dance, and to all a good night.