WINTER SOLSTICE

December 21st, DRUID FESTIVALS
Basing itself on this deep and mysterious connection between the Source of our individual lives and the source of the life of the planet, Druidry recognises eight particular times during the yearly cycle which are significant and which are marked by special observances.Of the eight times, four are solar and four are lunar - creating thereby a balanced scheme of interlocking masculine and feminine observances. The solar observances are the ones that most people associate with modern-day Druids - particularly the Summer Solstice ceremonies at Stonehenge.At the Solstices, the Sun is revered at the point of its apparent death at midwinter - and of its maximum power at the noon of the year when the days are longest. At the Equinoxes, day and night are balanced. At the Spring Equinox, the power of the sun is on the increase, and we celebrate the time of sowing and of preparation for the gifts of Summer. At the Autumnal Equinox, although day and night are of equal duration, the power of the sun is on the wane, and we give thanks for the gifts of the harvest and prepare for the darkness of Winter. If your interested in things of this nature you can go to http://druidry.org. Even if you don't believe raise a cup in praise of mother Earth and keep an eye on environmental legislation from your goverment. It affects everything not just the food you eat. Taking about food I would recommend a very simple and delicious version of Beef Burgundy by Ina Garten called Beef Bourguignon. It takes about half the time of a standard Beef Bourguignon and is available on www.foodnetwork.com. Good Burgundy can be expensive I have substituted Roja and Louis Jadot Beaujolais. I especially like to drink the Jadot Beaujolais because it very consitent from bottle to bottle and year to year. It doesn't provide quite the depth of a Burgundy but it works.