Happy Winter Solstice

Tomorrow in the Northern Hempshere is the Winter Solstice, when the sun is at its southernmost point from the equator. Ancients felt the sun stood still on this the "longest night of the year". Their rituals recognized this as a "turning point" event, and celebrated the return of the Sun.

On Saturday I attended Paul Winter and the Consort's 25th Annual Winter Solstice Celebration at St. John the Divine Cathedral in NYC (It was my 11th solstice celebration in a row). This performance not only included great music and performance, it also touched many of the ancient traditions associated with the night. Shamans, the "Golden Boat" from Slavic tradition and of course a tree were well represented. It was also a great mingling of so many different cultures and traditions: from dances and myths from the African Diaspora, to Russian music and dance, to Irish uilleann pipes, within the confines of an Episcopal Cathedral. So not only was this a celebration of the solstice, it was also a celebration of cultures getting together in a time of renewal.

So I wish everyone a Happy Solstice. View this as a time of renewal, a time of hope. In today's world of war, poverty, hatred, dark clouds, and W, we must celebrate the hope of the Winter Solstice. May we all recognize the "light" within ourselves and others. When we see that we all have a common "light", then we may be able to realize peace.

Common Dreams has an interesting article that, in a way, touches the idea of a common "light". Todd Huffman's post talks about the idea that America is so interested in morals and religion but fails to look at itself in the mirror to see its shortcomings.

A moral culture is defined through tolerance and compassion, and respect for the image of God in every person. A moral culture has a national conscience, upon which weighs heavily the plight of the nation's poor, and its vulnerable. In this way, a nation honors God's blessing.

So for the Solstice, let us recognize the "light" in each other and treat EVERYONE with love and respect in peace. As Rodney King asked, "Can't we all just get along?"