Merry Solstice!

Merry Solstice, my friends! Today is the turning point in the great battle betwixt the gods of light and the gods of darkness. It is this very night, when our hope for the light is at its lowest, seeming to be all but lost, the tide shall turn, and the darkness shall begin its retreat. The reconquest of the sun is at hand, and our cattle shall graze in its warm glow, and our fields and our vineyards shall bear fruit! Alas, not yet, for this remains our darkest hour, but not our saddest. Our saddest hour, of course, is Samhain, for that is a day of dread. The Solstice is a day of hope, on which we may begin the great chase of the giants, the trolls, and dark faerie-creatures back whence they came. In order to ensure the celestial victory of the light, however, we must do all we can to welcome the gods of light. We must show them green things! Deck the halls! We must bring light and warmth to the world! Light fires in both field and hearth! We must display the bounty of life! Let there be feasting and dancing! Let the gods bear witness to our charity! Give gifts to them and to one another! Sacrifice! Sacrifice! How anxious we are for Beltaine!