It’s December now, mid-winter and the landscape has been stripped bare.  Standing shy and naked it’s vulnerability masking the powerful forces of Nature that lie within.
I am out collecting pine cones to help kindle my log fire and as I bend to fill my basket the heady scent of the tree reminds me of all things Yule. Winter Solstice will soon be here heralding the return of the Sun as minute by minute, each day, the Light returns and with it hope for all things.
Holly bushes bear their fruit of bright red berries and the birds are feasting well. Mistletoe hangs heavily high up in the branches of the apple trees waiting to catch a kiss and I smile at the merriment of the season to come.

I lean against the trunk of a magnificent Yew and as I wonder at the darkness of its tiny green leaves I begin to feel its heartbeat, so I close my eyes and just for a moment, we are as one.
I am woken from the moment by the seductive scent of jasmine wafting in my direction and I move to find its whereabouts.  It is coming from a large Mahonia bush and as I lean forward to smell the bright yellow flowers I am startled by a lone Bee, busy taking nectar from the long deep funnels of the petals. A mild Winter indeed. I notice, in stark contrast to this giant of a bush before me, the gentle arching branches of a bodnatense ‘Dawn’.  Tiny tufts of fragile white flowers laced with baby pink edging, hanging in mid- air and like their gentle presence, they hold the most delicate of apple blossom scent.

A heavy mist rolls in advancing quickly upon the marshes like a silent gliding spectre and all around me takes on an eerie presence. I hurry back home and notice a strange coldness about me, cold and damp the air becomes and I notice an unfamiliar greyness lurking in the clouds above and I shudder.
Houses bear the distinct yellow glow of light as night  begins to fall and people begin to draw their curtains, but not all the way across like usual, not at this time of year.  A tiny gap is left to reveal the Christmas tree adorned with colourful lights that sparkle and twinkle playfully as if winking as I pass.
A trail of smoke rises lazily from each chimney, tall and straight and high into the sky and I can smell the sweetness of the pine and oak logs as they burn.

Glad to be safely home and in the warm I delight in the fresh citrus smells of the oranges, lemons and limes drying on the hearth ready for decorations. Cinnamon sticks tied in small bundles with red ribbon release their warming fragrance and I delight in the unmistakable smells of Yule.
Mince pies and mulled wine warming on the stove ready to greet the first guests of this festive season and I ponder momentarily on the simple message of this time of year – Peace and Goodwill to all men.

Blessed Be

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