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instinct & intuition

Solstice

Posted on December 19, 2022January 30, 2025

As the year rolls to a closure, I observe the celebrations tying everything together: Samhain, the autumn equinox, and soon Yule, also known as the winter solstice. Many textures grace the world during this time – frost traced on cool clear windows; powdered snow settled on leaves, branches, trees; melt dappling on the fur of animals; brittle leaves hanging on just barely to the place they’ve grown.

This winter feels like one of observation, of watchfulness, of noticing all that is around us. Don’t just see the forest for the trees – heck, sniff that forest air, nibble a fir tip between your teeth, experience the whole scene. It’s amazing of how much we can miss if we don’t take that imperative time to perceive.

As you peruse these photos, I hope that they may inspire you to take that extra moment to see the whole picture. This winter solstice is a lesson of looking, of seeing – and it’s up to the individual to acknowledge and follow the call.

Melting snow glistening on leafless shrubs. © Hazel Peel-Hodgson, 2022
Frost on a window. © Hazel Peel-Hodgson, 2022
The scaly, damp fur of our horse Dawson. © Hazel Peel-Hodgson, 2022
Sunshine through snowy ponderosas. © Hazel Peel-Hodgson, 2022
Etchings of frost and ice. © Hazel Peel-Hodgson, 2022
Spotted knapweed in snow. © Hazel Peel-Hodgson, 2022
Another highlight of Dawson – when the snow on his back melts, the water droplets look unreal amidst his dark fur. © Hazel Peel-Hodgson, 2022
A crossroads. © Hazel Peel-Hodgson, 2022
Oregon grape leaves showcasing holes from frost and foragers. © Hazel Peel-Hodgson, 2022
Melt on a window. © Hazel Peel-Hodgson, 2022
Snow covering mountain ash berries and leaves. © Hazel Peel-Hodgson, 2022
The stark difference between light and dark. © Hazel Peel-Hodgson, 2022
© Hazel Peel-Hodgson, 2022
Snowy branches. © Hazel Peel-Hodgson, 2022
Melting and freezing somehow caused the snow this year to snake around branches like this. © Hazel Peel-Hodgson, 2022
Branches against a cloudy sky, made intentionally blurry. © Hazel Peel-Hodgson, 2022
Yellowing maple leaves. © Hazel Peel-Hodgson, 2022
© Hazel Peel-Hodgson, 2022
© Hazel Peel-Hodgson, 2022

2 thoughts on “Solstice”

  1. aloha69 says:
    December 27, 2022 at 5:04 pm

    I vote for the frost crystals in the second from last photo. So fascinating! In the crystal forms, I see replications of the structures of plants and insects. Your blog sets us up for 2023, as water will likely be a focus for many of us…water is the focus of Avatar, being released in January, our Duck Creek watershed will be a community focus, and “space and science” just posted the Essence of Water” on YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K6Qh4xBxUy8). You should find the video highly interesting as it also relates to cloud science. The photo labelled “crossroads” forms a near perfect equilateral triangle! Thanks for expanding my sights into savoring the beauty of Nature.

    Reply
    1. hazelraine says:
      December 28, 2022 at 4:24 pm

      I think you may have voted on the wrong post…

      Reply

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