Since the day before yesterday and for the next two days the sun will be in the same position each day in the northern hemisphere. This is what is called low energy part of the year - the winter solstice. The sun is at it's furthest distance from the earth resulting in the shortest day and longest night of the year.
Let's think about this - plants, trees and animals go into hibernation and conserve and store up their energies for the coming year. I'll admit it's been hard getting things done lately - it's not easy getting out of bed when the mornings are so dark and I've spent a few days lying in and reading a couple of chapters of a book before breakfast.
The modern world demands that we are at a high production level all the time - higher yield - higher profits, high octane - but life is a cycle, a circle, and the wheel must go down before it can rise up again. I think we all know this to be true, but the capitalist world dictates that we play their game. You snooze you lose! That's what they say!It's my opinion that all the great seers and artists knew how to conserve their energies well. They knew how to replenish, rest, and listen to their bodies and the seasons changing message. Maybe we should try and do the same?
About six years ago I visited a passage Tomb close to the Naul in North County Dublin with a friend on the first day of the winter solstice. We were the first people to arrive and had to get a key to open the ancient passage from an elderly lady who lived close by. Imagine, calling into her at 4am!
I remember opening the entrance and walking up this pitch black passage. All of a sudden I felt the energy of the space shift and I knew, in that total darkness, that I had reached the opening of the main chamber. We stood there spellbound watching the light slowly filter in through port holes which illuminated the space. It was real magic!
In preparation for our visit we brought with us cake and some other festive nibbles and soon were joined by a brother and sister who cycled there each year to celebrate this special moment. They had with them a flask of hot tea laced with whiskey. Incredible to think it was just the four of us there! We all enjoyed sharing that Winter Solstice moment together.
Below an image of a piece I painted about this time last year.
Beannachtaí na Féile.
Winter Sunset, Fanore, 2013 - oil on panel - 7"x5"
Private Collection, Ireland
Let's think about this - plants, trees and animals go into hibernation and conserve and store up their energies for the coming year. I'll admit it's been hard getting things done lately - it's not easy getting out of bed when the mornings are so dark and I've spent a few days lying in and reading a couple of chapters of a book before breakfast.
The modern world demands that we are at a high production level all the time - higher yield - higher profits, high octane - but life is a cycle, a circle, and the wheel must go down before it can rise up again. I think we all know this to be true, but the capitalist world dictates that we play their game. You snooze you lose! That's what they say!It's my opinion that all the great seers and artists knew how to conserve their energies well. They knew how to replenish, rest, and listen to their bodies and the seasons changing message. Maybe we should try and do the same?
About six years ago I visited a passage Tomb close to the Naul in North County Dublin with a friend on the first day of the winter solstice. We were the first people to arrive and had to get a key to open the ancient passage from an elderly lady who lived close by. Imagine, calling into her at 4am!
I remember opening the entrance and walking up this pitch black passage. All of a sudden I felt the energy of the space shift and I knew, in that total darkness, that I had reached the opening of the main chamber. We stood there spellbound watching the light slowly filter in through port holes which illuminated the space. It was real magic!
In preparation for our visit we brought with us cake and some other festive nibbles and soon were joined by a brother and sister who cycled there each year to celebrate this special moment. They had with them a flask of hot tea laced with whiskey. Incredible to think it was just the four of us there! We all enjoyed sharing that Winter Solstice moment together.
Below an image of a piece I painted about this time last year.
Beannachtaí na Féile.
Winter Sunset, Fanore, 2013 - oil on panel - 7"x5"
Private Collection, Ireland
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