As the year draws her last few breaths, the watery light of the sun leaks across the sky. With barely enough strength to lift his face above the green hills, he appears but briefly, before sinking back into his dark bed. His daughters, the sunbeams, pay such a short visit that they barely impart any warmth to the waiting earth. The cold night folds back over the hills and claims the season as her own.
Yet the hope of growing light lingers in our hearts, trusting the turning earth to roll the sun back into our lives, with all his light and warmth. This hope will fuel us through the cold months of winter yet to come. Even as the earth grows colder to our touch, the suns promise will grow in strength, as the eternal year flows on.
breathofgreenair 
A treat for eyes and “ears” 🙂
What fabulous pictures of the winter sky, Seonaid. Magical – and chill. Happy Christmas. Keep warm.
You write so well … always to restful … so soothing. If it were not for the stress brought on by Holiday visitors I’d quote another BP reading for you but I’m afraid, under the circumstances, you wouldn’t be pleased. But just think how off-the-charts the reading would be if not for the calming influence of your work. As always … D
For you, in Scotland, it must be even more difficult to deal with the absence of light. I read a story recently about a town in Northern Norway where there is NO sun for weeks, and the days are merely a twilight zone. That would be my personal purgatory …
It’s definitely not that bad here in Scotland. The days length shrinks and grows across the year just enough for me to enjoy. I couldn’t cope with days on end of no light at all 🙂
I,too, posted on the winter solstice today: http://beautyalongtheroad.wordpress.com/2013/12/22/winter-solstice-2/
Beautiful thoughts and words as the year dips. Wishing you a very Merry Christmas Xx
Thank you, Seonaid – have a wonderful Christmas season with your loved ones.
The drama of the photos is echoed in your poetic writing.
Thanks Suzanne, it was a beautiful sight as we headed down through the soft hills of the Scottish Borders on a Christmas shopping trip. Have a wonderful Christmas, and don’t get too hot!! Xx
beautifully poetic 🙂
Many thanks.
The photos are lovely, but I love the glimpse into the winter personalities of the sun, sunbeams, earth, and night. Happy Solstice!
Oh thank you, I’m glad you liked that 🙂
I love to look at the world this way.
Happy Solstice!
Seonaid, the earth turns, days grow longer and a long winter looms on the horizon! ;^) This, too, shall pass… another season, another year. Wishing you the best for 2014. Incredible captures of a stormy sky!
And wishing you and yours a wonderful 2014. The sky was really stunning as the sun slid across it on this short cold day 🙂
Beautiful shots and may 2014 be a great one for you.
Thank you, and a very Merry Christmas to you and yours Xx
Dear Seonaid. These are great shots. There is not much left of the sun now at winter solstice but lets celebrate ‘the turn of light’ 🙂
All the best,
Hanna
Indeed Hanna, the light turning is wonderful, and thanks for following and commenting over the year. It’s been lovely getting to know you over the year. Have a lovely holiday 🙂
Hope you have a lovely holiday too, Seonaid. Scotland is not just Scotland any more but the place where Seonaid lives.
All the best to you,
Hanna
Happy New Year, Seonaid!
And to you, it’s been wonderful meeting you in the blogosphere this year.
Wishing you a happy holiday Xx
Such beautiful skies in these photos and I appreciate your words of hope. 🙂
Thank you, and isn’t hope brightest in the dark 🙂
What a sky! Perfect for the winter solstice. 🙂
Those were my thoughts exactly as I watched and shot some photos over the borders hills.
Wishing you a lovely holiday season, and thank you for connecting via the blogosphere over the year 🙂
Happy holidays to you too, Seonaid. I hope to follow more closely in the coming year. 🙂 xxx
That second shot of the sky is awesome, Seonaid!
It is what it is- no sense to rant and rave, is there? Just be thankful for all that we have 🙂
Merry Christmas!
Thanks Jo, it was beautiful late afternoon light, so I couldn’t resist hanging about for some dramatic shots!
I can bear the dark months because I know they will pass, and there is something wonderful about darkness coming early….I don’t feel I should be out doing things 🙂
A gloomy sight – but instalments are going to be on the increase from here on!
Indeed, but I can love this gloom, knowing that it will pass and that the light will return 🙂
I love the change of the seasons, nothing remains for long!