Today is the Winter Solstice, the shortest day of the year. The day that the old Sun dies, and the new Sun is reborn. The day the young, shining Oak King battles and defeats the Holly King at the height of his power. The day the wheel turns once more, from darkness to light.

We had our big Yule celebration on Saturday, and it was great fun. I was full of joy, positively giddy! Which isn’t really like me.

Photo courtesy of Brenda, who is blogless.

Today is the kind of day that makes me want to hibernate, stay in and spend my time puttering around, but I can’t. Instead, I woke up early, lit candles in the early darkness and am singing up the sun as it rises. Later, when I get home, I’ll late my Yule candles and and plug in the lights on my tree and enjoy the lessening darkness.