Tonight is the Winter Solstice, the darkest day, the longest night. This is the perfect day for me, perhaps for others, it symbolizes the return to the light, the end of darkness.

We postponed our bonfire until Sunday, the ground is too muddy and wet from today’s storm. Tonight, we will light some candles, say some prayers, listen to some music.

For me, the reminder that Spring is coming is a holiday of hope. I believe light is coming for me, for Maria, for the farm and the animals, for my friend and for my country.

In a more joyful world, when people were connected closely to nature, this day had great meaning, it was a time for festivals, spending time with loved ones, feasting, singing, dancing, lighting fires.

We will honor some of those traditions tonight and over the weekend. On a farm, the solstice is important. I believe the animals are acutely sensitive to light, they know now the grass will soon be green again, the days warmer and brighter.

We are at the beginning of something and the end of something, we are reminded of Spring today, from now, each day will be longer, will bring more light. We have a playlist of solstice music that Maria assembled.

I wish you all a happy and meaningful Winter Solstice, the holiday of hope, the boundary between darkness and light. In many places, and for much of human history, this was the most important day of the year for centuries.

The day marks the official beginning of winter for the Northern Hemisphere of the earth, and the shortest day of the year, but it also signals the coming of Spring. It  gave hope to farmers and people who lived in nature.