“Now is the solstice of the year,
Winter is the glad song that you hear.
Seven maids move in seven time.
Have the lads up ready in a line.
Ring out these bells.
Ring out, ring solstice bells.
Ring solstice bells.”
Winter is the glad song that you hear.
Seven maids move in seven time.
Have the lads up ready in a line.
Ring out these bells.
Ring out, ring solstice bells.
Ring solstice bells.”
- Ian Anderson/Jethro Tull (“Ring Out, Solstice Bells”)
Those words begin one of my favorite songs from the Jethro Tull album “Songs From The Wood.” As the winter solstice took place this week and winter officially began (I know – try telling that to the folks in Minnesota), I thought I’d quote that line to celebrate the season.
What a solstice it was, too! A lunar eclipse, a full moon and the winter solstice all in one day, the likes of which hadn’t happened in over 450 years. I’m sorry that I couldn’t stay up to watch the eclipse around 2:30 a.m. here in New York (having to get up at 5:30 in the morning to get ready for work will do that), but the moon did look spectacular when I saw it the following evening and the morning after that.
So, let us rejoice in the season. Sure, the days may get colder, but the hours of daylight will be getting longer, too, day after day, until day equals night (equal night = "equinox") on the vernal equinox in March and then on to the summer solstice in June.
Winter brings snow, too, and without it, how can photographers create images such as this one here, showing Goddess Angie, bravely sacrificing the warmth of a studio to help create some outdoor art during my trip to Ohio in February of this year. Thanks again, Angie!
(To hear the song by Jethro Tull, click here. Turning on your computer's speakers is highly recommended.)
