The year is coming to an end

'Yule' is the ancient word for the Winter Solstice, which is the shortest and therefore darkest day of the year. It is the proverbial 'darkest before the dawn' time in our Solar year. It is something that has been celebrated throughout human history, from the Japanese to the Welsh, nearly every culture boasts Solstice rituals. This year the Solstice falls on December 22nd.
 
The ancients knew that the winter solstice was the longest night of the year -- and that meant that the sun was beginning its long journey back towards earth. It was a time of celebration, and for rejoicing in the knowledge that soon, the warm days of spring would return, and the dormant earth would come back to life.
 On this one day, the sun stands still in the sky, and everyone on earth knows that change is coming.

My mom and my brother arrived in the UK on Sunday and it's great to have them here. After all both Yule and Christmas is a time for family, so I am very grateful that they could come over. The house is starting to be festive but the temperatures are still at around 8 degrees.
We've been out for a walk this afternoon with the dogs and I took the below picture. It looks so much like spring, yet I still looking forward to the festives over the next few days