Solstice fire, with visitors

A fraught and frantic December, and I was coming down with a bit of a head cold, but I felt the need to make some observance for the solstice. It is to me the most deep, numinous, and bone-felt of the holy days, when the world shudders in the grip of dark and cold.

I built a fire in the firepit on back porch out of oak leaves dropped by my friend in the front yard. I knew the fire would only last for a while, so I put a candle by ready to catch the last flames and hold them for the night.  I sat down by the fire and stared into it, communing with the flames and letting the rest of the world fade away.  I didn't think about anything in particular, just let my mind quiet and let the rustle of the wind and the flowing of the flames fill me. 

After a time staring at the flames, and seeing the circle of the firepit flare orange, I became aware of others sitting with me around the fire.  On my right hand was the Indian man, Teacher of Boys-to-Men, who had danced with me earlier in the year.  Beside him was a large man dressed in furs and boots, who I knew to be a Dane, but with no helmet, armor, or weapons.  On my left had sat a very old Indian woman with her gray hair pulled back and weaving in her hands, who laughed and smiled at the fire.  There were many others, elders, warriors, folk of many races, who gathered with us around the fire.

No one spoke, we all just shared the fire and each other's presence.  I felt the immense depths of time; all these wise folk had in their lives honored Winter and sat vigil by the fire on the longest night of the year, each in their own time and place, and me among them.  At the solstice fire, time thins and we all share, all sensing each other's presence and support in the silence.  I knew that these were all ancient ancestors and elders who had felt the mystery of the darkness and the hope of the fire, and had sat alone, just as I, to feel the turning of the year.  I knew that some here were my many-times-grandchildren also, that the thread of mystery and reverence continues.  Just as I have been supported and guided by many spirits and ancestors, so I will take my turn eventually to aid and guide those who come after me.

As the fire faded, my companions faded from my awareness also.  I caught the last flicker of the oak flames securely on the wick of my candle, which I nestled safely in the firepit to light our path to the next year, and went in to bed.