12 Days of Yule - Day 2

Winter Solstice is just 11 days away! To celebrate the season, why not find a way to bring a little "Yule" into your life every day for the next 11 days?

At http://paganwiccan.about.com there is a list of 12 Days of Yule Devotionals and I think they are wonderful! I will share them here, along with my own thoughts on how you can journal on the Daily Devotions. I will also share some other Winter Holidays, traditions, and Lore to consider, which you can also choose to journal or blog about if you wish!

Tuesday, Dec. 11, Day 2

Day 2; A Sunrise Prayer;

"The sun returns! The light returns!
The earth begins to warm once more!
The time of darkness has passed,
and a path of light begins the new day.
Welcome, welcome, the heat of the sun,
blessing us all with its rays."

By Patti Wigington, http://paganwiccan.about.com

My Journaling / Blogging Suggestion;

Get up early and say this prayer with the rising sun.  Or, at least say it when you get up, even if the sun has already been up for awhile.  Even though the "return of the sun" and the lengthening of days doesn't really begin until after the Winter Solstice, take time today to consider what the sun means to you.  Are you a morning person?  Does the sunlight affect your mood?  Do you find yourself more depressed or stressed out during the winter holiday season?  If so, consider whether part of this is because of the lack of sunlight due to longer nights and winter weather.  It's easy to blame it on the commercialized aspects of the Holiday season, the stress of gift-giving, sending cards, dealing with family, remembering those no longer with us.  Keep in mind that science has proven that a lack of sunlight DOES affect our health and mood.  Are there ways you can get more sunlight, even in the winter months?  Can you attempt to go outside a little more often?  Take a winter walk? Clean up the yard?  Or even just open the blinds or curtains a little longer during the day?  Write down ways you can try to get more sunlight, and your thoughts on sunlight as a source of health and well-being.

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As always, thanks for stopping by, and Happy Journaling! If you choose to post your journal on your blog, please include a link to this post, and leave a comment below with the link to your journal. If you choose to keep your journal private, that is fine too, but your comments are appreciated!