Longest Night and the Shadow Self
I like to think of the winter solstice as the Earth's recognition of her own shadow self. A time when she tilts her axis away from the sun to allow the darkness to overcome the light, an astronomical sign that welcomes the season of being within. The winter solstice not only marks the official beginning to winter, but also the longest night. It has been recognized in many cultural mythologies and traditions, even dating back to Neolithic times. The Neolithic sights of Newgran