The trees are so very green after a long dry day it began to rain.. The garden is perking up even some volunteer seeds from the compost are starting to sprout. The "old Farmer" always said that volunteer plants were the best growing and best tasting. And in most cases i feel he was right.
Merry be your Solstice Day!
In the very back of my head resides the childhood belief that that the longest day of the year is indeed hours longer than the day before or the day after it. And indeed it seemed that way last night.
There are usually wild strawberries to pick on Solstice day, but this year there aren't even any green ones to be found, however there are many, many flowers on the tiny vines.
Last night I stood at the window looking out into the gathering darkness, waiting for the rain and watching the fireflies twinkling along the edge of the forest. It felt like seeing magic happen. So i made a wish, feeling blessed by the serenity of the moment. Have been compelled by the serenity of a snowy Winter Solstice twilight while watching Christmas lights glow in the distance to do the same.
This year the day leading up to Summer's Solstice was cold and gray, too cold for my creaky bones, so building a small fire in the stoker seemed a pretty reasonable solution.
The cold and wet chimney slowed my progress and as I split more kindling to encourage the fire, A Yin and Yang symbol cane to mind. Very obtuse, was my first thought, but then again, they do signify the coming change of season, the tipping point of the seasons might be more correct. Balance, balance in all things? The universe seemed to tell me that there is something, some connection, I'm just not sure what that connection is yet, but if I ever figure it out I will tell you.
My grandmothers used to tell me. "Plant your garlic on the shortest day of the year and harvest it on the longest." To be honest I frequently plant my garlic on the opposite schedule, Sometimes it even works out well that way.
Happy Summer Solstice, my Friends!! Turn your face to the Sun and the shadows fall behind you.
author unknown to me
