Well, gardeners, we are just days away from December 21, 2012: a very significant day this year. Much has been made about the 21st being the last day; but the astronomy expert on the Weather Channel gave a very thorough explanation of the Mayan calendar and said that the calendar goes to December 21 and then begins again in a new cycle. Nothing more. Nothing terrifying in that, is there! I guess we don't panic when any of our calendars reach December 31 and become obsolete; we just begin a new one. So I'm sure we're all pretty confident that the world won't end on December 21, and we will still have to keep cleaning the house and doing the laundry and taking out the garbage! And watching our mailboxes for new and exciting seed catalogues!
December 21 is also the day of the winter solstice: the shortest day and longest night of the year. On that day, the earth will tilt 23.5 degree away from the sun at the North Pole; so for us in the northern hemisphere, we will be tilted as far away from the sun as we will be all year. People below the equator will enjoy the longest day of the year. And for us gardeners, we can look forward to the fact that after December 21, the days will begin to get longer!
There are many interesting customs related to the winter solstice. Because it marked the absolute shortest and coldest day of the year, light was the important symbol of the day.
The "Juul" log or yule log was lit to chase away the gloom of the short day, and to remind everyone that the sun would return and give its strength to the earth again. The image of light was so powerful; in Scandinavia, part of the yule log was saved to be used in the fire the following year. In other European countries, the log was allowed to burn right down to ashes, and then these ashes were scattered over the fields.
Spruce or pine branches were brought into homes as a symbol of hope and new life to come; their evergreen beauty was a reminder that not everything perished in the bitter cold and dark.
As gardeners, we know the importance of light to all living things, and many important events around the time of the winter solstice involve bringing light: the candles of Hanukkah; the Advent wreath. Light is life, both physically and spiritually.
Another little musing for this time of year: I was reflecting on the Christmas meals that we enjoy every year. They are gifts from the earth, aren't they; the plump kernels of wheat in the kutia; the potatoes in our perogies; the beets in borscht; delicious cabbage rolls; sweet stewed fruit; the list goes on. And again, the symbol of light as the first star of Christmas Eve heralds the beginning of the meal; and the very special star that led the wise men to the Baby Jesus' crib.
By the next time we sit and have tea together, dear gardening friends, Christmas will be behind us and the new year will be just ahead. On behalf of Keith and Toby and I, we wish you a very Merry Christmas and every joy in the coming year. May health and happiness be yours!
To our precious family who will be with us in spirit, thank you for the countless special times we shared together in our garden: I can see you still, smiling as you thumbed through seed packages, picking the first ripe tomatoes, planting your favorite planters, and teaching me how much joy time in the garden can bring. I will treasure those times forever, precious family. Merry Christmas!
