Another Happy Rebirth

If you're reading this post, our world has survived yet another Winter Solstice. You may say "piffle, of course" perhaps, of "the winter sol-what?" Well, in what would have once been seen as a near miracle, the sun was struggled to rebirth, unaided by large numbers of people letting their own blood, sacrificing animals, executing intricate dances, sacrificing other people, tying the sun to a rock by means of invisible rope, or simply casting old materials on the ground (as have been done in the past). Untroubled for our lacking devotion, the sun returns Unconquered.

It still awes me to look back on the thousands of generations of humankind, huddled around fire, devising any mad scheme to keep the embers of the dying sun burning. I can picture the lines of concern on the face of the shaman, debating that morning if the horizon was lightening...did the rites work this time? A woman straining to feel if the morning breeze was beginning to stir, watching the bare branches for telltale movement. The solemnity and unity worldwide* of this day, the unbearable concern of not knowing. Followed by a wondrous affirmation that death had not won total victory, that indeed life would not falter, the Earth would not sleep, and things would go as before. A Happy Solstice to all, however you celebrate it.

*Okay, I imagine people in the southern hemisphere felt quite the opposite on the winter solstice. You get my point.