The year has slipped through the solstice in a flurry of darkness and wild winds here in Scotland. Last night the wind tugged and pulled at the corners and edges of the house, squeezing through gaps in windows and singing forelorn songs down the chimneys. This morning there is silence and stillness, time to catch my breath, and perfect timing to bring some peace and focus to what has been a very busy and unsettled time. Sitting sipping warm tea, watching the darness of the long night melt softly into the pale blue of a winter dawn, with the soft notes of the dawn chorus singing in my ears feels just perfect.
It has been unseasonably warm, with no sign of snow down here in the lowlands, although the mountains have atleast seen a sprinkle of the white stuff. Despite all the decorations, traditions and busy cheerfulness of the season, it’s only this morning, sitting in the stillness and the darkness that I feel connected again to the year, the seasons and the turning earth. I have finally landed in midwinter, very slightly late, but finally contemplating the passage of the year. To find that tiny point of light and stillness, to find my centre, this is the best gift for me in the dark time of the year.
Wishing you all a wonderful winter holiday, however you chose to celebrate.
(The first images was taken last year, when there was a more seasonal swirl of snow and ice in the air!)
breathofgreenair 
always good to be on this side of the solstice. My body feels heavy and lacks energy, totally in tune with the long, dark hours of winter. But – spring is coming (sooner or later) 🙂
Indeed, it’s somehow been a long tiring year for me, and I’m enjoying coming to rest at last….there’s nothing more to be done this year but breath out and wait for the new one💕
Yes, you are not alone in that experience. So enjoy your exhale…:-)
Solstice makes these dark months more bearable. It is so good to know the light is returning. May it guide you into a new year, blessed with love and friendship, filled with warmth. And a bit of snow.
*hugs*
Marion
Many thanks for your lovely comments Marion, and all the best for your 2016💕
Happy Holidays. Your post had odd undercurrents of some stress or change that happened. I hope the New Year brings contentment and joy! XOXO
No snow here, either. In fact as I write, the door is open to the 75 degree weather.
Your words, as always, are so lovely, and I always find some that I want to copy and paste and read again.
“Sitting sipping warm tea, watching the darness of the long night melt softly into the pale blue of a winter dawn, with the soft notes of the dawn chorus singing in my ears feels just perfect”.
Sending thoughts for happiness, health, and peace in the coming year.
Laura, you’re always so kind with your comments….I think you would be the perfect companion for sipping warm tea with on a dark winters morn💕
I’m glad you are settled again, feel again connected to the universe. It is a good way to enter the new year.
Indeed Penny…its been a funny year for me, but here we are at the door to a new year, and as always the chance of a fresh begining💕looking forward to following your walking adventures for another year😄xx
On we all go, with our ups & downs. I look forward to another year of your posts as well.
Happy Solstice Seonaid. I am sorry I am late with this wish for you. Here’s to a good year, full of good things. D + J
David how lovely to hear from you, wishing you a wonderful return to the light this year, full of joy 💕✨
So, I will try again, sending you and yours Happy Holidays! My comment flew away in the swirling cyber wind…I’m glad you found your point of stillness and contemplation. That is what se all need.
It flew in the swirling cyber wind, and then arrived unscathed, so I’m lucky to get the treat of double Happy Holidays from you my delightful friend💕The wind has indeed been full of mischief, but for today atleast we have a little gap in the storms, and the sun visited😆💕Happy Holidays to your whole lovely family xx
We wish Happy Holidays for you and yours, from us in Swedenwithoutsnow! I’m glad you found your point of stillness and contemplating – that is what we all need.
Yes, for me it has been quite elusive this year, but here’s hoping for a more contemplative 2016. Wishing you a dream filled year of fun ✨💕✨
Thank you – and the same to you!
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Wishing you the best of Christmases Seonaid . I hope you’ll find plenty of ‘connective’ times over the holidays . I’m sure there’ll be a few lung bursting walks chasing round after the dogs along the beach somewhere over the next couple of weeks . Here’s to the wind in your tail 🙂
Thanks Poppy, the walks so far have either been ridiculously wet, or wild and windy or both! Today for the first time in what feels like weeks it was still and sunny, and a little cold! The tails were wagging through the crow filled trees….post to follow shortly😆
Happy Christmas to you too Seonaid! It is a very strange and warm winter. I long for snow, ice and crisp bright days when my breath mists in front of my face. It’s hard to feel seasonal when I don’t even need to put on a coat to go outside! Mindfulness is such a precious resource that we can all tap into in a moment of peace and quiet. I need a few of those too I think! Best wishes for 2016 🙂
Sarah, it’s so true, the lack of cold and ice, never mind snow, makes it hard to believe we’ve already passed the solstice and are heading back into the light! I’m hoping for a more creative less stress filled year in 2016, but who knows😳I guess we just have to take what comes💕looking forward to another year of your lovely images xx
Yes, I just try to make the most of good days 🙂 Really feeling for everyone in the north of England this year! The flooding looks appalling 😦 Pictures from York were quite a shock! Climate change is very apparent at the moment.
Wishing you and yours a wonderful and warm Christmas! 😀
Thanks Julie, while its warm for undo pared to normal winter conditions, I suspect that you might find it a touch chilly over here 😆💕
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Wishing you a Merry Christmas, Seonaid!
Thanks Angie, the same to you xx
Have a VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS!! This year’s weather has been unusual as we have received windstorm after windstorm. Plus, our mountains and the eastern side of our state are packed with snow. My daughter and family won’t be able to join us because of the snow around her home… however, they are having fun playing in it.
Your pictures and words are as beautiful as always. Thank you… and MERRY CHRISTMAS!
Gwynn, wishing you a wonderful joy filled Christmas too. Sorry you won’t see your daughter, Mother Nature sometimes has other id as to our plans! I always live to read you generous comments xx
Happy and bright Christmas & New Year, Seonid. Thank you for your always amazing creative inspirations of Scotland (my heart’s ‘home’) 🙂
What a lovely Christmas message, thank you xx
Best wishes Seonaid.
Thank you xx
Wishing you s peaceful happy season dear Seonaid 🎄
Thanks Gilly, wishing you a lovely holiday too x
lovely lead up to the festivities with your light in the dak – Happy Christmas to you!
Thanks Laura, and I hope you had a lovely day xx