Halcyon days, now wars are ending.
You shall discover where-e’er you sail
Tritons all of the whereas attending
With a sort and delicate gale.
Halcyon Days by Thomas Shadwell (1642 – 1692)
Blessings of the eloquent quiet to every one.
As I do annually round this time, I invite you to affix me as we step right into a magical Time Out of Time referred to as the Halcyon Days. I first discovered of this apply a few years in the past, from my good friend and favourite vacation curator, the late Waverly Fitzgerald.
And annually, equally to our rising custom of the Advent Solstice Wreath ceremony, increasingly more of you report you’re making this a aware a part of your vacation observances, too.
This can be a very outdated custom that begins per week to 10 days earlier than the Winter Solstice and ends a few week to 10 days after. Some choose to start on Christmas Eve and proceed by twelfth Evening, or they may observe these time-out-of-time days between St. Lucy’s Day (Dec. 13) and New 12 months’s Day.
In these hectic, too-bright-and-shiny, consumer-frenzied occasions, and perhaps as a result of of that dramatic disconnect, I believe we want this greater than ever. To not point out the various, many of us who’re combating profound anguish over the approaching regime change in america. This is a perfect method to refill the properly of our spirit, and discover our footing as we put together for the roiling hardships that will lie forward.
So I observe them at the moment, relying on how properly I can clear my work schedule. Often, I choose to take the ten days every method, as a result of this timing concludes on New 12 months’s Eve. I plan to start out as we speak, however then deep dive in after I conclude my workshop on Saturday (which nonetheless has seats obtainable and could be a stunning method for you to watch this magical time).
Within the Halcyon Days, we step away from our peculiar cares and the workaday world. This historical apply calls us to pause, honor the rites of Yuletide, and have a good time with peace and kindness.
So for the subsequent a number of weeks, that’s what precisely I suggest we do.
The Story of Halcyon
As soon as upon a time, Aeolus, King of the Winds, had a stunning daughter named Alcyone (additionally referred to as Halcyon). She grew to become the spouse of Ceyx, King of Thessaly. Alcyone and Ceyx liked one another devotedly and had been by no means willingly aside.
Nonetheless, a time got here when Ceyx determined he should make the lengthy journey throughout the ocean to seek the advice of the Oracle of Apollo at Delphi. When Alcyone discovered what he was planning, she was overwhelmed with grief and terror, for she knew the facility of the ocean winds and feared his loss of life.
Ceyx was deeply moved, however his function held quick. Alcyone yielded ultimately, and let him go alone.
Alas! As everybody is aware of, males ought to take heed to their smart and loving wives, for Ceyx was shipwrecked and died the tragic loss of life that Alcyone had feared. The Gods appeared to Alcyone in a dream within the picture of the drowned Ceyx, and instructed her of his loss of life. Alcyone ran to the seashore and located Ceyx’s physique drifting slowly in direction of her.
Stricken with grief, Alcyone jumped into the ocean to affix him in loss of life, however the Gods took pity on her and earlier than she might be overcome by the waves, she was remodeled right into a kingfisher.
Ceyx was reborn additionally right into a sea swallow and collectively, their love lives without end. To today, they’re at all times seen collectively, flying or using the waves.
To honor their love and to forestall any others from assembly such a tragic destiny at the moment of yr, Zeus forbade the winds to blow for seven days previous to and 7 days after the Winter Solstice.
The Tritons, attendants to Triton, the son of Poseidon, had been referred to as upon to make sure that this was made so. And henceforth, yearly at the moment, the Mediterranean Sea is meant to lie nonetheless and calm; no breath of wind stirring the waters.
For that is when the kingfishers brood over their nests close to the waters. After the younger birds are hatched, the allure is damaged.
So yearly, at Winter’s threshold, as of late of good peace are supposed to come, and they’re named after Alcyone, or, extra generally, “Halcyon Days.”
So beginning now, my buddies, allow us to bid welcome to the Halcyon Days.
At our subsequent lighting of our candles throughout this threshold time, pay attention to the heightened energy that now comes upon us, for in solely per week, the standing nonetheless of the Solar arrives, providing much-needed cosmic quiet to our anxious, agitated tradition.
Let Us Be the Peace We Want to See
Yearly, I invite my readers to do all that’s in our potential, to make sure that our stressed inside and outer waters change into quiet, in order that the brand new start might come. How good that this previous Solar Day, we lit the candle many people have devoted to the Component of Water.
This yr, in view of the ever deepening divisions amongst our individuals, the brutal wars being waged, the ceaseless hostility that appears to have settled over every little thing like ash, and the continuing assault on democracy all through the world, we absolutely want this time greater than ever.
As a result of it’s all souls on deck in these particularly stormy waters.
Please be part of me in weaving a really particular magical spell for peace and kindness on this liminal time.
Maybe to align with this time, it’s possible you’ll resolve to take a media break. Or flip off the information and sustain solely by the written phrase (which is a lot simpler to pause and replicate over). Or maybe you’re able to step away from the clamor of social media — only for now.
Lowering our time within the artificiality of the digital world, aside from what is important with a purpose to be with our family and friends, could also be useful for you. The time we spend in Nature is a more healthy, extra grounded selection than the countless loop of angst, concern, and seduction we’re pushed to devour.
Possibly you’d like to affix me in doing one factor — giant or tiny — day-after-day, as a random act of kindness, or to embody the peace we want to see. On day-after-day of this Halcyon time, allow us to every bestow with clear intention a particular blessing to our troubled planet.
Sure, there may be struggling past most of our comprehension, with conflict, destruction of human rights, and the climate catastrophe now upon us.
It’s formidable to anticipate the potential for violence and strife that’s more likely to accompany the set up of the brand new fascist authorities. However this is a perfect time to finalize the teachings we’ve been studying in our Strength Year, and put together for the psychological and non secular braveness we’re going to want within the time forward.
And meantime, even small acts of compassion and care could make an enormous distinction. Each act of generosity issues to somebody and ripples out into the broader world. How would possibly you provide your hand?
So breathe and be nonetheless.
Replenish your self by embracing the gorgeous knowledge of Nature at the moment of endarkenment. As an illustration, you would possibly want to observe one peaceable hour every night time with the lights and screens off.
What quiets and calms you? I invite you to publish and share your personal concepts and actions within the Luminous Sparks feedback.
In all circumstances, allow us to pray with all our hearts, after which comply with by. Within the title of the Goddess, and by our personal fingers, might actual peace come to our troubled world.
And should Love abide without end.
