![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
(no subject)
Dec. 22nd, 2002 11:43 amWe've developed our very own Solstice observance. Still working out a few bits here and there, but the framework is taking shape. No claims that this is authentic in any tradition anywhere in the world- it's our own syncretic observation.
At sundown before the Winter Solstice, we light a vigil candle. Since the reports were that sunset in Seattle was at 4:16 and the time of the astronomical event 4:18, this was a convenient time. We'll probably aim at emulating Jewish tradition by lighting this candle eighteen minutes before sundown, but it didn't happen quite that way, although it still got lit before sundown.
We've experimented with staying up all night, and have elected to instead get up and watch the sunrise. Something about staying up all night, and then having to deal with a child who's slept and will be waking shortly afterwards just doesn't appeal to either of us as a particularly enlightened idea. Either way, it seems to be a fitting tribute to the return of the sun.
When the kids are awake (at present just alexander), everyone gets to opening their stockings, then it's breakfast time. Alexander gets to open one present a day until he runs out. I think he'll be done by some time in mid-January.
At sundown before the Winter Solstice, we light a vigil candle. Since the reports were that sunset in Seattle was at 4:16 and the time of the astronomical event 4:18, this was a convenient time. We'll probably aim at emulating Jewish tradition by lighting this candle eighteen minutes before sundown, but it didn't happen quite that way, although it still got lit before sundown.
We've experimented with staying up all night, and have elected to instead get up and watch the sunrise. Something about staying up all night, and then having to deal with a child who's slept and will be waking shortly afterwards just doesn't appeal to either of us as a particularly enlightened idea. Either way, it seems to be a fitting tribute to the return of the sun.
When the kids are awake (at present just alexander), everyone gets to opening their stockings, then it's breakfast time. Alexander gets to open one present a day until he runs out. I think he'll be done by some time in mid-January.
