Drumming up the Sun
Happy Solstice! The days get longer from here on out. I struggled out of bed this morning to meet up with a bunch of people who greeted the sun today by drumming through sunrise. It was a great experience, dark figures emerging out of the brush to join our little herd as we stood facing the sun. From the comfort of the dark, I watched the city, it’s lights winking at us as people down there started to go about their day. I wonder how many realized that the balance between light and dark had turned over; how many realize that even just the hint of the sun in the sunrise rendered the city lights dim? We drummed through the sunrise until it was completely above the horizon. Then the drums quieted down, and we just sort of faded off again.
I got back hoping for sleep that was not to be had, the kids were awake and tearing into their stockings. The gift exchange went well, followed by the family gathering that included more gifts, good food, laughter, and naps. Hard earned naps.
It feels like the real new year this time. I think my lack of a day job has helped me fall out of the Gregorian calender so to speak. It’s nice to base the passage of years by things you can experience, instead of the grid of numbers imposed on us by our calenders. I hope the new year goes well for all of you out there, the darkness is waining.
