Monday marks the Winter Solstice.
Leading off, here is a haiku by the 17th Century Japanese poet Matsuo Basho.
Like many haikus, it is deceptively simple: each line enacted by the next.
Winter solitude
in a world of one colour
the sound of wind.
What is the Winter Solstice?
The Winter Solstice has been celebrated for centuries and is the shortest day and the longest night of the year. It’s a time that is known for the sun to stand still before moving forwards to the slow progression of longer days. It has carried strong symbolism and some people refer to it as a rebirth of the sun. Occurring sometime between June 21- 22 June ( December 20 – 22 in the Northern Hemisphere).
It’s a time to honour the darkness and celebrate the light. It’s the perfect time for self reflection, putting yourself on pause and going within to connect to your own darkness and let go. I’m in the process of doing just that. Taking the time out that I need to re-group and letting go of thoughts and beliefs that no longer serve me.
The Winter Solstice doesn’t have to be a dark or somber reflective experience—it can be joyful and lighthearted. Winter festivals, fire and light and social gatherings are all part of it too. Celebrate the birth or return of the light
Here are two winter solstice haiku written by one of the haiku masters
snowflakes flitting down
a winter solstice<
celebration
Issa– translated by David G. Lanoue
winter solstice in Japan
plum trees
in bloom!
Issa – translated by David G. Lanoue
Some of my own thoughts: –
winter stroll
a celebration dance
willy wag tail col
winter stroll
a canteen of spoonbills
filtering the mud col
winter blues
only a heron and i
drink in the light col
ocean squall
a hawk soars
in a cold up-draught col
winter solstice
my grand-daughter rides her bike
without training wheels col
winter solstice
shadow of light turns
on the nearby hill col
the year’s shortest day
the sun breaks the horizon
anew col
winter beach
winds abrasive dance
keeps it lonely col
winter lake
a cormorant hangs his wings
out on the wind col
wind chilled air
cormorants sit brooding
on every post col
just another day
three pelicans wait for
return of fishing boats col
winter solstice
apples crisp for picking
in the nearby hills col
winter warmth
minestrone soup served with
home-made bread col
winter drive
to pick apples
childhood memory col
winter trees
birdwatching
made weasy col
family gathering
with food laden table
her last meal col