#solsticeblessings

[ashandthorns]

The walls and ceiling were so hung with living green, that it looked a perfect grove; from every part of which, bright gleaming berries glistened. The crisp leaves of holly, mistletoe, and ivy reflected back the light, as if so many little mirrors had been scattered there; and such a mighty blaze went roaring up the chimney, as that dull petrification of a hearth had never known in Scrooge's time, or Marley's, or for many and many a winter season gone. Heaped up on the floor, to form a kind of throne, were turkeys, geese, game, poultry, brawn, great joints of meat, sucking-pigs, long wreaths of sausages, mince-pies, plum-puddings, barrels of oysters, red-hot chestnuts, cherry-cheeked apples, juicy oranges, luscious pears, immense twelfth-cakes, and seething bowls of punch, that made the chamber dim with their delicious steam. In easy state upon this couch, there sat a jolly Giant, glorious to see, who bore a glowing torch, in shape not unlike Plenty's horn, and held it up, high up, to shed its light on Scrooge, as he came peeping round the door

`Come in.' exclaimed the Ghost. `Come in, and know me better, man.'

-A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens

Photo by me, model Joe Sabourin.

[thesorceresstemple]

[apothicat]

This awesome witchy shirt can be purchased at Apothicat on ETSY

apothicat.etsy.com

[thisisnotreallife]

Solstice Blessings

On the solstice, the temperature drops to below zero degrees and the birds are cold and hungry.

There is one hummingbird that overwinters in Washington State, braving the cold in favor of migrating south. Anna's hummingbird. I keep the feeder filled through the winter months and see fat little hummingbirds sitting on the wire outside the picture window that opens to our backyard.

On the solstice, the hummingbird feeder is frozen, and I bring it inside two or three times throughout the day to thaw it out with my blowdryer on its highest setting.

In the afternoon, I am walking outside with the newly-thawed feeder. I zipped up my coat and pulled on the big hood, but I didn't put gloves on, thinking I'd be out and back inside in less than a minute.

Before I get to the hook where the feeder hangs, I hear the whir of a hummingbird's wings and little chirps, and I stop in my tracks.

He hovers in front of my face, then looks at the feeder in my hand, which—for some reason—I am holding at heart level.

He lands on the feeder, stops his wings. Drinks. Looks up at me with his tiny eyes and long, curved beak. His throat is the color of amethyst and his body is emerald and white.

I watch the wind ruffle the feathers of his back. I say I am so cold. You must be even colder. He looks at me. Drinks again.

I wait. I do not turn my head to the side to see if Patrick is watching through the window. I do not wish the hummingbird would hurry up.

We stay there for some time, me standing in the snow and he perched on the edge of the feeder, alternately drinking nectar and looking up at me. Eventually, he flies away, and I hang the feeder on the hook.

Inside, I watch the hummingbirds come, one by one, until the feeder freezes over again.

[davidwfloydart]

“May the dawn of the Winter Solstice chase the dark away.” #wintersolstice #solsticeblessings #darktolight💫 #chasethesun #chasethesunrise (at Catalina Foothills, Arizona) https://www.instagram.com/p/CmdRrRRLYdxg5WTgU1-d0AZMAn2lCb3KhwzLD00/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[itzaldrizes]

Stonehenge 🩶🪨🛖

"Stonehenge, where stones of wonderful size have been erected the manner of doorways... no one can conceive how such great stones have been so raised aloft, or why they were built there"

From Henry of Huntingdon's History of The English People, written in about 1130

[loumolesworth]

The Four-Armed-Dancers celebrate the Moon in the cold night air.

Poscas on canvas.

[faedatayartworks]

Always nice to see one of my dream weave portals doing their seasonal work. #solsticeblessings folks. I am in hibernation mode, in a deep cocoon, quietly recharging my soul. Trying to decide what to bring into this world over the next year. Wishing you all a beautiful and love filled festive period. Om https://www.instagram.com/p/CmcyqFqoX_S/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[sarahdesigns]

As the shortest day draws to a close, Darkness falls on this winter sky, May you be warm, fed, happy, and healthy, Tomorrow’s sunrise welcomes the start of lighter days. May that light last you though any darkness you encounter. Image: an large canvas the kids and I created a few years ago 💜 #solstice #wintersolstice #blessedbe #pagan #lightinthedark #welcomethelight #auroraborealis #lighthouse #artwithkids #sarahbell #sarahdesigns #sarahspyrography #reflection #yule #solsticeblessings (at Endon) https://www.instagram.com/p/CmcWLEMLbnH/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[melancholy-polytheist]

Blessed Solstice to one and all. Today is another day that I haven’t managed to get back to old routines. I was really hoping to get out to Stanton Drew to join the crowd of people in their ritual, but sadly it was not to be. Like a lot of people this year I just feel tired, worn out, like dry scrapings at the bottom of the pot. My sleeping pattern has been appalling lately, and that combined with the worst back pain flare-up I’ve had led me to think that walking out in a muddy field at dawn might not be the wisest choice. Instead, I’m turning inwards - focusing on rest, respite, and bringing warmth and joy into my home. So while I may not have beautiful sunrise pics to share, I do have this devotional embroidery (my first ever freehand embroidery) piece I did that now adorns a woollen hood I made. And Ben and I had a special solstice dinner (with wine!). Now to sit, and sink into the dark of the year, and let go of expectation - as best I can anyway! #solsticeblessings https://www.instagram.com/p/CmcTERLLs8r/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[goodwitchcloset]

Blessed Solstice all over the world! Sending you love and light and positive healing energy from our beautiful universe. You will receive all that is good for your highest self and you will be blessed with good health, wealth, and happiness, so mote it be. #solstice #solsticeblessings #blessedsolstice #blessedbe #lovelandlight #healingenergy #earthhealing #positiveenergy #healthwealthhappiness #spiritualjourney #spiritualhealing #spiritualgrowth https://www.instagram.com/p/CmcGn2QuSHd/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[apothicat]

This warm Solstice sweater is extra soft on the inside! Let your love of the Solstice holidays shine and visit my store Apothicat for more colors and sizes up to 5x.

[helenfaerieart]

❄💙Winter Solstice Blessings~Merry Yule Blessings💙❄ • •Out of the darkness •Emerges the light, •Magical wishes... •Of blessings so bright! `*.✫*¨*.¸¸.✶*¨`*.✫*¨*✶*¨`*.✫*¨* Wishes of peace, light, love and warmth to you all x🌲💙🎄❄💙🌲 • www.helenfaerieart.co.uk • #Yule #yuletide #wintersolstice #Solstice #solsticeblessings #Faery #December #returnofthelight #Etsy #etsyshop #etsyshops #Etsyart #yuleblessings #happywintersolstice #21stdecember #faery #winterfaery #staysafe #fairywishes #fantasyart #watercolor https://www.instagram.com/p/CmbDfmuInEZ/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[0witchy-bitch3]

More solstice tea! This time an iced mint, lemongrass and citrus green tea. Perfect Litha drink to accompany some computer work in the garden 🍊🍵💛

[davidwfloydart]

“May the light of the Winter Solstice always shine on you.“ #wintersolstice #solsticeblessings #lighttheworld #maytheforcebewithyou #lighttheway #lighttheworld (at Catalina Foothills, Arizona) https://www.instagram.com/p/Cmc0onTvKw9erC-7q533hdETQKCTddxS89atsw0/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[pussy-king420]

happy midsummer!! i celebrated by making a flower garland and honey cake 🌼🌿🍰

Here's my honey cake recipe!

180g softened butter

180g honey, I used half honey half my dandelion honey

3 large eggs

150g self raising flour

30g ground almonds

1/2 tsp baking powder

1/2 tsp vanilla

1/2 tsp rosewater

3 tbsp milk

1 1/2 tbsp poppyseeds

juice of 1/2 an orange

3-4 tbsp honey

chopped walnuts or pecans

preheat your oven to 180°C, and grease and line a cake tin

cream the butter and honey together, then beat in the eggs one at a time, mixing well between additions

add the vanilla, rose, milk and poppyseeds in and mix before sifting in the flour, almond meal and baking powder

mix until smooth, then pour into the cake tin and bake for 40-50 minutes (although this will depend on how shallow your tin is, or the shape)

while the cake is in the oven, heat the additional honey with the orange juice until dissolved to make a syrup, and mix in the chopped nuts

when the cake is cooked, poke holes with a skewer and pour the syrup evenly over

serve (preferably) warm with crème fraîche and strawberries and enjoy!