yule

Songs of the Season: A Playlist for Yule

by Joanna Powell Colbert on December 1, 2011 · 17 comments

in Music, Wheel of the Year, Yule

Yule CDsListening to music (and singing along with it) is one of the most important ways that I align myself with the rhythm and deeper meaning of the season. I especially love to listen to seasonal music while I’m creating art. So I made up a playlist of some of my favorite winter songs. Most celebrate Yuletide, but others are meditations on winter. A couple are sad. A few honor the Crones of Winter. Together, they put me in just the right wintry mood.

I’d love to know what your favorite Yuletide songs are.  Please share yours in the comments!

(Oh and yep, I make no apologies for sharing songs from the album Midwinter Moon, recorded by my mermaid sister Julianne Marx and my guy, Craig Olson. What can I say? I’m their biggest fan.)

Glorious by Melissa EtheridgeGlorious by Melissa Etheridge

Lady Greensleeves by Julianne Marx and Craig Olson

The Year Is Born Anew by Jaiya

The Longest Night of the Year by Mary Chapin Carpenter

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May Your Day Be Cheery and Bright

by Joanna Powell Colbert on December 25, 2010 · 3 comments

in Wheel of the Year, Yule

This video is pretty darned cute.

The Christmas Story — to me — is all about the metaphor, baby!

Merry Christmas!

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Solstice Moon, Solstice Candle

by Joanna Powell Colbert on December 21, 2010 · 0 comments

in Nature, Spiritual Practice, Wheel of the Year, Yule

Solstice Moon & Candle

I took this photo last night before the eclipse began.  There are visions, hopes, dreams and prayers in that lovely yellow beeswax light, communing with the Silvery One above . . . Blessed be.

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Light is Returning . . .

by Joanna Powell Colbert on December 21, 2010 · 2 comments

in Wheel of the Year, Yule

Solstice Sunrise

Light is returning,
Even though it is the darkest night . . .
No one can hold back the dawn!

JOYOUS SOLSTICE, everyone!

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Gaian Tarot Card of the Week: The Sun

by Joanna Powell Colbert on December 20, 2010 · 5 comments

in Card of the Week, Tarot, Wheel of the Year

Gaian Tarot Sun

Gaian Tarot Sun

Sometimes, you have to admit, the Tarot just has a wicked sense of humor. In response to my question, “What do I most need to keep in mind, during the Holy Week of Winter Solstice / Full Moon Lunar Eclipse and Family Christmas?”, I pulled . . . the Sun.

The Gaian Sun is far from a traditional Tarot Sun card, which often shows the Child of Wonder (aka the Newborn Sun) riding on the back of a white horse. But it does convey the joy and radiance we feel at this pivotal point on the Wheel of the Year, when the days (oh so minutely!) begin to lengthen, and we can believe again in the promise of Spring.

Rider Waite Smith Sun

Rider Waite Smith Sun

Besides being a literal depiction of the sun symbolism of Winter Solstice, this card expresses the joy that I feel when I count my blessings and stand in a place of gratitude. Despite health challenges and personal challenges, 2010 has to stand as one of my best years, ever.  My 20-something self and my 30-something self would never have believed that Life would be at its best in my late 50′s. To life! L’chaim!

A most Blessed Winter Solstice and Christmas Festival to you!

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Spirit Sunday: From Our Home to Yours

December 19, 2010

A musical Yuletide card from our home to yours. We first sent this out to friends in 2008, but it’s worth a repeat. Blessed be. In the Bleak Midwinter performed by Craig Olson; Music by Gustav Holst (1906); Lyrics by Christina Rossetti (1872), revised by Craig Olson (2006). Photography Credits: Snow scenes by Catherine Kerr [...]

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Magical Giftbringers of Yule: Saule

December 16, 2010

(This is the third of four posts on the “Magical Giftbringers of Yule.”  The first one was Rozhanitsa, and the second one was St. Lucia.) Saule is the Baltic Sun Goddess.  I learned most of what I know about her from Patricia Monaghan’s wonderful book O Mother Sun.  I wrote the following lines for a [...]

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Spirit Sunday: How Lovely Are Thy Branches

December 12, 2010
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Magical Giftbringers of Yule: St. Lucia

December 9, 2010

(This is the second of four posts on “Magical Giftbringers of Yule.”  Last week’s was Rozhanitsa.) Well, you all know by now how much my community and I love St. Lucia, aka the Lucy Bride, the Lussibruden, Lucia Queen. Her feast day is next Monday, December 13th. We’re in a busy tizzy over here, preparing [...]

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Wordless Wednesday: St. Lucia & the Mermaid

December 8, 2010

(Photo taken in my kitchen at last year’s Lucia Party.)

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