Hail, lovely sun!Praise you for rising!
Yesterday we shivered in darkness
while you were trapped in the mountains.
Now you rise light as a silver bird.
Always rise like this, goddess,
always come back to us like this,
bringing us health and safety,
bringing the game to our arrows,
and fish to our hooks.
Journey now in peace,
go around the earth in safety,
travel in joy, O goddess!
-Finnish Kalevala
There are many things to celebrate at this time of year and the Winter Solstice (Dec. 21st this year) reminds us that the returning of the Sun and the slow increase in light brings us promise of new growth and life. As we build hearth fires, light candles or string lights on a Christmas tree we are honoring the old traditions of welcoming the light back, to bring us warmth and productivity in the new year.
May everyone find their own way to celebrate and light the world!
This is my entry for the 4x4Friday challenge and the TAW challenge.
Imagery credits go to Downunderstudios, e-vint.com and personal photos.
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Posts
Beautiful words and image Lori, I love it!
ReplyDeleteYour art never fails to hold me in its grip Lori. Another beautiful work that tells a story Love your post.
ReplyDeleteAnd I love your Joyeux Noel below too.xx
Beautiful! The days are definitely getting shorter and darker!! Next week we will start reversing!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful post today, Lori! I always look forward to the days following the solstice because I look forward to the return of the light. You've totally captured this wonderful celebration! Hugs, Terri xoxo
ReplyDeleteI love this winter-woman image, ¡Wonderfull!
ReplyDeleteAhhh..for Summer Solstice to begin. Just a few more days and we will have more light. Your image depicts that light to come..the dark before the light. I always wonder what you do with all your beautiful images. Do you make digital prints and sew? Do you frame them? They are all so lovely that I think you must have so many uses for them.
ReplyDeleteOh her snow cape is breathtaking!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful image. Winter & Summer Soltice we have a party every year. Its a wonderful time.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful post!
ReplyDeleteMerry Christmas and a very Happy Healthy New Year to you and all your loved ones.
Gaby xo
Wow Lori what a Beauty.
ReplyDeleteSo fantastic layers. Love it.
A very lovely post this morning, Lori & your image is just magnificent! Enjoy your Sunday.
ReplyDeleteHugs, Diane
Stunning image, and it fits so well with the weather here. Looking forward to marking the Solstice with friends, food and wine.
ReplyDeleteSo mark we now the longest night
With feasting, merriment, and candle light.
Blessings to you, and those you hold dear
At Solstice, and throughout the new year.
This is outstanding !
ReplyDeleteMerry Christmas :)
Another exquisite piece Lori... and the words!!! touched the soul! Thank you.
ReplyDeleteVery happy Christmas from Glenys
Lori, this is so wonderful. I'm loving the muted colour palette you are exploring of late. Awesome.
ReplyDeleteAmazing piece, Lori, another exquisite & perfect art work!
ReplyDeleteWow..so enchanting, gorgeous and beautiful..thanks for sharing your Solstice Magic!!
ReplyDeleteVictoria~
Simply gorgeous Lori...simply gorgeous...I love the poem too...excellent!!!
ReplyDeleteSuch a fabulous art piece, Lori. You can box up the Ermine robe and send it for Christmas! How awesome is that? Love your card! So excellent.
ReplyDeletewow!!! gorgeous!
ReplyDeleteyou are a true digital genius!! This is beautiful!
ReplyDeletea wonderful hommage to the return of the light!
ReplyDeleteThe celebration of the winter solstice perfectly 'told'in your picture. Wonderful grand creation.
ReplyDeleteSo lovely,
ReplyDeletehappy Yule to you
Absolutely gorgeous
ReplyDeleteIt's absolutely beautiful Lori ! Wish you a Merry Christmas and holiday season, hugs
ReplyDeleteJust wonderful, as always.
ReplyDeleteThis is beautiful Lori! And we have the added bonus of a lunar eclipse for the solstice! That will be stunning to see.
ReplyDeletewhat a lovely picture hope you have a lovely christmas Lori
ReplyDeleteLori, your piece is stunning! And it's good to remind us that we are also celebrating the winter solstice at this time of the year. And of course I'm extra pleased because you have quoted Kalevala, our national epos - thank you!
ReplyDeleteEvery time I see your work I say "oh this is my favorite", each piece gets better! I am enchanted looking at this(O:
ReplyDeleteWonderful piece of art, I'm looking forward to the longer days.
ReplyDeleteLori...you just gave me chills with this beautiful post...Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to you and your family. We have an overcast tonight so I will probably not be able to see the eclipse ...but some things I just know. Imagine and Live in Peace, Mary Helen Fernandez Stewart
ReplyDeleteBeautiful...absolutely beautiful~!!!!!!
ReplyDeleteThis is stunningly beautiful!
ReplyDeleteLori this is So Beautiful! And you've found the Kalavala texte from Finland, I'm impressed!
ReplyDeleteWinter time is very dark, snowy and cold in Finland & Sweden so the light is important!
Thank's for sharing this with Us!
I absolutely love this piece ... incredibly beautiful, Lori!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful piece!
ReplyDeleteSo peaceful and wintery, Lori. All the best to you and yours this winter season. Peace.
ReplyDeleteLori, this piece is magnificent - absolutely beautiful and, as always, entirely unique. There is always excitement when opening your Raven Painting blog because we know we are going to see something very special - and you never fail us.
ReplyDeleteHappy New Year!