HAPPY SOLSTICE/YULE

"Solstice" by Jane Starr Weils

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The winter solstice officially occurred at 12:04 A.M. Universal Time, and here in the central United States, at 6:04 A.M. today. From this, the shortest day of the year, the days will now lengthen. Pagans, druids and others in the pre-Christian world celebrated this day as Yule. It was a celebration of the return of light, and I can imagine just how much more it meant in those dark days than it does in these days of electricity.

Still, even us modern folk yearn for the longer days of spring. And today, the process begins, as the sun tilts on its axis toward the sun.

I celebrate this day with a bunch of images I've pulled from the 'net. I had a feeling that fantasy artists would be drawn to the subject of yule/solstice. And I was right. Here, for your solstice pleasure, are yule and holly kings and queens, fairies and druids, green men and goddesses.

"Yule Holly King" by Wendy Andrew

"Yule Angel" card by Anne Stokes

"Yule Druid" - no attribution given

"Yule Fairy" - no attribution given

"Yule Fairy" - no attribution given

"Yule Queen" by Mary Layton

(Also check out her "Yule Blessings" in my

"I am the Christmas Spirit" post from Dec. 5)

"Winter Solstice" card by Briar

"Yule Queen" by Wendy Andrew

"Spirit of Yule" by Anne Stokes

"Peace at Yule" by Wendy Andrew

"Christmas Light" by Meredith Dillman

"Lady of Lights" card by Briar

"Holly King" - No attribution given

"Bright Blesssings" Yule card by Briar

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For a couple more images, here's a link to the Winter Solstice post I wrote last year:

http://celticanamcara.blogspot.com/2007/12/happy-winter-solstice_21.html

And for some lovely solstice poetry, please check out Leanne's post for today:

http://www.somersetseasons.blogspot.com/

NOTE ADDED MONDAY MORNING:

Someone asked for a link to the Briar cards, and I am so glad I went to check it out, because I found the artist of two paintings I had no attribution for (Anne Stokes). Following are links to all the artists I mentioned: Briar: www.eastgateresource.co.uk; Wendy Andrew: www.paintingdreams.co.uk; Anne Stokes: www.annestokes.com; Meredith Dillman: www.meredithdillman.com; Jane Starr Weils: www.janestarrweils.com; Mary Layton: www.marylayton.net.