A poem to celebrate the returning of light on the Winter Solstice

Winter Solstice, dawning of light;

On the cusp of the shortest day and longest night;

When the Sun stands still, a sol sistere;

Rising at sunrise, we welcome in the New Year.

Winter Solstice, the dawn of Yule;

A time to honour the land, through Jole or Jule;

Filling homes with hopeful Holly, all things good;

Dancing in the firelight, singing laughing, sharing food.

Winter Solstice, ancient evergreen;

Festooned with berries, fruits, nuts and seeds

A Pagan's gift to Nature, for all things living free;

As the cicular wreath depicts the cycle of life passed,

And still yet to be.

Sue Cartwright

Spiral Leaf