The Darkness

The darkness is coming thick and fast, it seems relentless, never ending, like that certain fizzy drink advert of the Santa train on the TV, it goes on and on and you wish it would go away, then suddenly it peaks, the Solstice arrives, the shortest day, the longest night and all seems well, festive, and bright. We have rejoiced in thick white dawns, we have shopped in fairy-light draped market squares, shared festive hugs, cups of hot coffee. We have baked and iced spicey fruit cakes and made scrumptious sugar decorated chocolate tree stumps (easier than chocolate logs!) and slow roasted gammon and bacon wrapped sausages. We have walked the lanes and gathered the greenery and fluffy white seed heads of old man’s beard; candles have flickered amongst shining holly leaves borrowed from the Holly King and Ivy from the Oaks green cloak. We have given and received beribboned gifts wrapped in pre-loved paper and drank of the amber mead. And through all of this we know that tomorrow the light will begin to return, slowly, oh so slowly, but with it will come joy and hope through the tunnel of gradually lengthening days as surely as nature’s smile grows and the buried seeds and roots will grow into to shoots and the Druid bird will sing again, and the Raven begin to court his mate.

Winter Solstice blessing to you, and you, and you, take comfort from the darkness and welcome in the growing new light.

Words and pictures by Artist and Druid © 2022