52 Card Project 2021: Week 51: Solstice
Dec. 22nd, 2021 09:24 am![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
pegkerrThe Winter Solstice has slowly been growing in importance for me over the years. It's odd: I pay very little attention to the Summer Solstice. But when you have seasonal affective disorder, the Winter Solstice (particularly in northern climes, where sunlight is scarce in winter) is a REALLY BIG DEAL. I held a Solstice party a few years ago, and were it not for the pandemic, I would have held it again this year: a quiet gathering with friends, mulled wine, and delicious food. *sigh* But I celebrated it this year in my own way.
Churches are beginning to notice this, too: a growing trend in congregations is a service before Christmas, around the Solstice, which some have dubbed "Blue Christmas." My church has always had an outreach to people suffering from mental illness, so this is right in our wheelhouse. As it happens, I have had no issues with seasonal affective disorder this year at all (thank heavens), which I attribute to good diet, regular exercise, and the fact that I have finally conquered my struggles with sleep for the first time in almost half a decade (thank you, Sleep Boot Camp). Coming into this darkest period of winter, I feel good.
Anyway, Blue Christmas. My church held a quiet, elegant, lovely service called "The Longest Night" last night. We incorporated two songs by Peter Mayer, one of my favorite singers (I introduced his music to our music director and she has taken to him as much as I have). One song was "Green," which I sang as a solo, and then the congregations joined as we segued into "Joy to the World."
The other song included in the service is one of my favorite pieces of Solstice music of all time, "The Longest Night." I incorporated some of the lyrics into this week's card.
After Pastor Sara's reflection, the small gathering wrote their prayers on slips of paper left in the manger and then came to the center of the circle to light candles.
I went home and turned off all the lights and lit candles throughout the downstairs. Lots and lots of candles. I listened to a peaceful solstice mix of music, roasted some chestnuts, and brewed myself a mug of mulled wine.
Delicious. Then, utterly at peace with myself and the world, I sat down and created this card.
Solstice
Just one more card and then I'm done for the year! I have had so much fun with this project and have found it to be so valuable (both in terms of creativity and in working things through for myself) that I have already decided that this project will continue next year. I will start a new gallery after the first of the year, but will include a link from the prior gallery to direct people.
Click here to read about the 52 card project and see the year's gallery.
Churches are beginning to notice this, too: a growing trend in congregations is a service before Christmas, around the Solstice, which some have dubbed "Blue Christmas." My church has always had an outreach to people suffering from mental illness, so this is right in our wheelhouse. As it happens, I have had no issues with seasonal affective disorder this year at all (thank heavens), which I attribute to good diet, regular exercise, and the fact that I have finally conquered my struggles with sleep for the first time in almost half a decade (thank you, Sleep Boot Camp). Coming into this darkest period of winter, I feel good.
Anyway, Blue Christmas. My church held a quiet, elegant, lovely service called "The Longest Night" last night. We incorporated two songs by Peter Mayer, one of my favorite singers (I introduced his music to our music director and she has taken to him as much as I have). One song was "Green," which I sang as a solo, and then the congregations joined as we segued into "Joy to the World."
The other song included in the service is one of my favorite pieces of Solstice music of all time, "The Longest Night." I incorporated some of the lyrics into this week's card.
After Pastor Sara's reflection, the small gathering wrote their prayers on slips of paper left in the manger and then came to the center of the circle to light candles.
I went home and turned off all the lights and lit candles throughout the downstairs. Lots and lots of candles. I listened to a peaceful solstice mix of music, roasted some chestnuts, and brewed myself a mug of mulled wine.
Delicious. Then, utterly at peace with myself and the world, I sat down and created this card.
Just one more card and then I'm done for the year! I have had so much fun with this project and have found it to be so valuable (both in terms of creativity and in working things through for myself) that I have already decided that this project will continue next year. I will start a new gallery after the first of the year, but will include a link from the prior gallery to direct people.
Click here to read about the 52 card project and see the year's gallery.
(no subject)
Date: 2021-12-23 12:32 am (UTC)