‘The Rebirth of the Sun’ was published ‘CIRCLE ROUND’ by Starhawk and Diane Baker and Anne Hill, copyright (C) 2000 by Miriam Simas, Anne Hill and Diane Baker. *
I adapted Starhawk’s story for the Winter Solstice celebration of Northey Street City Farm, Brisbane, Australia on Saturday, June 22, 2024 to suit a subtropical setting. We also celebrated the farm’s 30th anniversary. After acknowledging the Turrbal and Jagera people and honouring ancient First Nations traditions of solstice, I introduced the story. Then we taught the chant I wrote. A senior custodian was present and carried one of four torches for the Solstice fire, upon which a basket of our wishes, written on strips of paper, were offered.
Introduction
Here and now, we live in a culture of hurry and rush, disconnected from natural rhythms. As we honour Earth’s cycles and the changing path of the sun, moon and stars, we realign ourselves with those primordial patterns. Though the contrast of the seasons is not as sharp here in the subtropics as further north and south, it is still cold (at least to us) and the nights are longer. In ancient stories, the sun was sometimes believed to be male, and the moon and the night, female. Here is a short story by permaculture teacher, activist and writer, Starhawk and this is the way I tell it.
‘Rebirth of the Sun’
Long, long ago, in the time before time, when the world was new, the Sun shone powerfully every day and rested only for a short time each night.
At first, the days were long and warm, but a long time passed and a long time passed, and Sun became increasingly exhausted. He was so weak that the days grew short, and the nights grew ever longer and colder. The people feared the Sun might fade away, perhaps he was ill. So they prayed to Mother Night.
Night heard their prayers and called Sun to her.
‘You have worked hard and long and you are weary. You need rest, as all of Earth’s creatures do.
‘Come, sleep in my arms and be renewed. From me, you were born and to me, you will return. Let me cradle you now, as I shelter every galaxy & star in the universe.”
Sun sank into Night’s great welcoming arms, and the night was very long indeed. The people, kept vigil with fires and candles through the night and sang:
SONG/CHANT by Jenni Cargill-Strong
Let the Sun be renewed, in the arms of Ni-ight x2
And in the morning x2
Sun’s light will be stronger!
Our lights will be stronger! Listen to the chant here.
Wrapped safely in the black, velvety arms of Night, Sun grew younger and stronger. As he dreamt, the people’s songs of praise rose up to him and their love made him even younger and brighter. In the morning, Sun arose: renewed and reborn!
It was a New Day and a New Year! The people sang and danced in celebration. And that is why, the days grow shorter until mid-winter and then they grow longer.
So when you are tired, remember, take rest in the black, velvety, star- studded arms of Mother Night.
*I tried to get permission from the publishers and Starhawk, but have not heard back in many months. If I need to change anything to honour Starhawk’s copyright, please let me know.
Here is a previous post: ‘Winter Solstice and the Rekindling of the Sun’.
