Shay's Rune

This coming weekend, December 21st to be precise, is the Winter Solstice, at least here in the Northern Hemisphere.  Since the Summer solstice in June, the days have been shortening a bit each day,  and it culminates in the longest night of the year, when the sun is at its most southerly point, and has likewise given us our shortest day of the year. And, despite the cold weather experienced, this marks the actual  first day of Winter. The final harvest of winter crops and thinning of the herds and flocks yield a bounty that must last throughout the cold winter months ahead, but first a celebration for the abundance. For the Norse and Germanic peoples, this was a time of merry-making, feasting and much revelry before the bitter cold kept people indoors and hunkering down for warmth for the next few months.  The Celtic peoples saw this as the battle between the dark Holly king, who has reigned since summer, and the Oak king, who now re-asserts his dominance with the rebirth of the sun.

Last Thursday I wrote about my excitement with participating in the vendor fair at Jack Desmond's that evening. Well, I wasn't disappointed. The food was tasty and service was great! And while there were about 23 different vendors, I was the only rune reader......actually the only reader of any sort. The four hours went fast and I was honored to share some info on the runes with a few curious people, and three honored me with the opportunity to read for them. Mark had a great time wandering between the two floors checking out the various offerings. With all the wonderful tables, he could have spent a small fortune. I pretty much stayed put, but was certainly not bored. All in all, it really was a wonderful evening. My friend Kim coordinates these vendor fairs a couple of times per year, and I have to tell you, she does a fabulous job. I'm hoping to have the opportunity to participate in the next fair (well, future fairs) when she gets it scheduled. I can't begin