Maybe it was because of the Yule Log shape, maybe it was because it was cheap and wasn’t turkey or ham, but for some reason we traditionally have meatloaf for the Winter Solstice. Every year the delicious scent of my mom’s ketchup covered meatloaf would fill the air on the Winter Solstice and my heart would soar with anticipation. Not just because of the yummy food we would eat, but also because we would dance and sing Christmas songs and get to open the smallest present under the tree.
As an adult I’ve carried on the tradition for my own family. We still have meatloaf and sing songs, but we also light the Winter Solstice candles. One red and one green for the Lord and Lady of Winter. We talk about the dying of the light and the rebirth of the sun. And we still open a present. Some years we’ve gone to the local Unitarian Church and celebrated by walking the labyrinth and chanting with fellow solstice celebrants, but most years we just dance on our own.
My sisters and brother still have meatloaf every year too. They’ve all added their own twists to the Solstice Celebration, but one thing stays the same. Whether it’s a ground turkey meat loaf or Textured Vegetable Protein, ketchup still tops the traditional loaf. And everyone gets to open a present.
Jessica Aspen writes paranormal romance near the foothills of the Colorado Rockies. Her books are full of elves, were-wolves and sexy men who walk on the dark side of the knife. She loves dark chocolate, walking the dog, hiking and is obsessed with her new lap-top. Jessica is also obsessed with writing and learning about writing. She is a member of RWA, CRW, FF&P and PRO. Her debut sensual paranormal novella, Little Red Riding Wolf, comes out February 18, 2012 from Passion in Print Press.
You can discover more about Jessica at http://jessicaaspen.com. Jessica also is a regular contributor at http://paranormalfreebies.com, where paranormal readers and authors converge. Follow her on https://twitter.com/#!/JessicaAspen and https://Facebook.com/jessica.aspen
Jessica Aspen
paranormal author
Dare to enter my world…and discover your imagination.
http://JessicaAspen.com/
Little Red Riding Wolf-a sensual paranormal novella coming out February 18th, 2012
from Passion in Print Press
8 comments:
Hi Jessica,
Solstices are milestone during the year. I like the winter one because that's when the days slowly become longer.
Winter is magical. IT can be both ugly and beautiful, the cold can cause a painful chill and the need to snuggle up, and the snow can keep be a major threat or mean we're locked in together, unable to leave. Through inconvenience, it can mean we are forced to reconnect with those we love, whether we are comfortable with it or not. For Brits especially, thats a good thing. We are not naturally inclined to intimacy. :D Therein lies the magic. X
Thanks Carole. I agree, it's always nice when the days get longer. The winter holiday's help alleviate the winter blahs.
Hi Shah,
I never really thought about how nice it is that winter forces us to snuggle up. I do however think about not snugging when it is hot in the middle of July. It's frigid today out in Colorado, and I can tell you, I'll be looking forward to some snuggling!
Just added the solstices to my homemade calendars.
Homemade calendars are a lovely idea, do you have the cycles of the moon on yours? It's nice to have both the sun cycles as well as the moon cycles so you know when all the holidays occur!
Jessica, thank you for being my guest yesterday. It was a lovely post.
Thanks for having me on Erin.
You have a great site! Thanks,also,to everyone who left a comment. :)
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