I spent much of this afternoon addressing Solstice cards and sending them to Pagan friends far away from here. I never liked the electronic cards – they are nice to get, but I like tangible things. Books instead of photons on a tablet. Cards instead of photons on a screen. E-cards are nice, but you can’t attach them to a doorway, creating an archway blessed by the thoughts of your friends. I’ve broken down on birthdays because I never remember, so I try and find cool ones to send. Yule is different, and signing the cards enables me to think more deeply about each person to whom it is going, and to send them good wishes and blessings for the year to come.
Tomorrow our household is getting our Yule tree. Sebastopol is fortunate in having a number of tree farms who market for the season, and we’ll be heading out to one. This winter is showing signs of being like last year’s, very rainy and overcast. The lights will be a wonderful addition to a house grown dark during these shortened hours of daylight. And real trees smell wonderful as well as help keep local farmers afloat.
Years ago I found a medieval kind of sun designed to sit atop a tree, something I have kept my eyes out for ever since without ever seeing another. I guess it had my name on it. Sol will fly high heralding the promise of the season.
And in Salt Lake City of all places, years ago when I was at a Mt. Pelerin Society (read classical liberal sadly turned mostly right wing) conference at a swank hotel, the gift shop had wonderful Witches on broomsticks flying by a moon, designed like Christmas tree ornaments. I loaded up on them for my coven mates of the time, and one for me. She will fly high in its branches.
Perhaps other Pagans can share their favorite decorating ideas for this season of dark and light, and of the rebirth of life.
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