Betwixt the Sea and Sky

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Our Solstice Tree

The Tree:

Every year around this time, my daughter and I begin our annual hunt for our Solstice Tree. We live on the edge of an enormous track of land that holds over 40, 000 trees...that means we start looking early. Mind you because of the seasonal holiday, our criteria says that it must be a pine of some sort, naturally growing, and accessible. The past year we were lucky to find a set of 5 identical pines growing in a star formation (I think my daughter has adopted it as THE spot)

Next we start saving all those poor apples and oranges that come home uneaten from the locker and lunchbag (tossed in a cold spot they'll last). As the Solstice draws near we make cookie and bread cut outs with nifty christmas cookie shapes (star, tree, stag, and moon) *Remember to poke a hole near the top for easy stringing.

On the Solstice we start making our garland and ornaments ~

Garland :

String the following together length-wise with a stitch method (in one side, cross the fruit and back out, making a large 'stitch') this allows a bit of security to the heavy fruit. If you can think of something edible to use as string..great. If not DON'T use plastic anything...try the finest thread you can find. We make 5 foot lengths of garland, the fruit is to heavy for anything much bigger.
Cut your apples into round slices, making sure the star is visible.
Slice the oranges into circles.
Use dried or fresh cranberries.
Add anything else to the garland that is edible to woodland critters...dried fruits, bread shapes, or even dried fish (unsalted)

Ornaments:

Butter the bread and cookie shapes with unsalted peanut butter and dip in a variety of birdseed, raisins, granola, or oats.
String with thread, and pack after letting them set a few minutes.

Into the Woods:

We pack a light snack, warm drinks, candles, water, pack a lantern for everyone and a blanket to share. Then we head out as the sun starts its descent...(about 3:30 for us ) Upon arrival we set up camp. I perfer to give a blessing and thanks to the space we've found. Once settled we start decorating our Solstice tree, remembering to decorate both high and low. In the couse of the fun we talk about the old things from the past year, the new things we would like to change in ourselves and sing a few songs (usually at the top of our lungs). When we have finally run out of treats for the forest, we share a small rite which always includes a blessing to the land and our lives. Then we light the candles, and lanterns, and dig out our own goodies.

Its an awesome way to spend Solstice. Its beautiful, carefree, and strengthens our connection within the cycle of Life. I started this event when my daughter was 2, now its truly become a tradition in my family...one that friends and family are becoming more and more involved in no matter what their faith.

~ Brightest Blessings ~

It seems like a shame to contaminate this thread with the dark despair I'm feeling today. I've looked out over the valley where my Solstice tree stands... it still stands, but this will be my last year to hold it as sacred space. From where I stand a swath of destruction and death winds its way through Red Hill.... I find myself having a small dilema over our yearly ritual, since my daughter and I have celebrated in the manner of the above post for the past 6 or 7 years and she is expecting us to celebrate as we usually do. But... dare I take her to our tiny grove? She does not deserve to see the utter horror of what our beloved valley has become. Anyways, how can I tell her she should not come, when I will be going in myself ? I do not have a vechile, so its not an easy case of finding another tree or spot. I'm simply not sure what to do in this case.... she loves the valley almost as much as I do.

My advice would be to take your daughter. For two reasons...First, Your grove is still there and your daughter will see strength in that and will feel special about it.

Second, Though it may be painful, she should see the destruction. She will understand your pain about it and it will make an impact on her which will be remembered. She will be more likely to respect the land and share that respect with her generation.

It gives you and your daughter a common and shared heritage that she will remember.

You should continue this until you can no longer. To do less will introduce a question as to whether it is really important. Even if you knew the grove was gone, I would say go there as if you didn't so that your daughter would also feel the loss. Then your discussions with her would create growth in both your hearts.

Thank you, Imbas for your council. I did indeed take her into the valley. We started at the top were Albion Falls is (another of my 'work' stations) and wound our way down through the trees and trails. We stopped for lunch then made our way to our Solstice grove where we left our offerings and our blessings... it was from that point on that things started to get uncomfortable since we had come in through the woods that was still mostly untouched and were walking steadily towards the destruction. We climbed up to the oak where she got an eyeful there... she didn't stay long. I concluded my vist and followed her back down into the valley. Went to look at the old Iroquois dig where she had a panic attack due to something she saw (totally unnerved me in the process... short stay!) Anyways... it was on that last leg of our hike that things started coming clearer... we found a redtail in distress (it looked like it had been mauled and cried piteously) so we discussed the hawks plight and what was happening to the other creatures. She listened and commented carefully... I think she is still trying to understand the long term impact. Well the worst was yet to come.... we hit the last mile. We turned the bend of the creek and there it was... 10-15 foot piles of torn up trees... not even sawn down, simply snapped or torn from the ground and thrown in piles. We had to climb over a blockade made by the trees in order to cross the creek. As soon as we climbed over and her feet started to sink in the turned ground she went from white faced to insisting we go home... immediately. She could not escape fast enough. She climbed up out of the valley with a pace that was almost a vertical run and my heart went out to her, because I could see she was upset and didn't know how to express it since she tried a few times with false starts Anyways... having subjected her to a 4 hour hike that ended in desolation & distress was more then enough for one day. And I admit to allowing her to escape into her own inner world of dolls and horses where things were still as she could make them. Its been a week and we haven't talked about it much since... now that she has seen the destruction, what left is there to say?, other then the need and importance for future conservation. The burden of the world does not belong on an 8 year old's shoulders.

I apologize, again, for being late. There was a day during this season, when I wondered what you would do without the tree and your past activities. I thought that it might be a bit sorrowful for you. I intended to ask you about it. Howsoever, I hope you still had the greatest of Yuletides.

Sadly, talk of our Solstice Tree hasn't come up much this year, although I still have offerings for the land. If its possible we will try to get in there, but it doesn't seem likely... instead I may walk the parimeter of my grounds with the offerings instead.

My hopes to you that you find your tree still. Or if not, that you find another tree, as all are connected to the same earth.

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