Solstice

The Winter Solstice is a time steeped in deep history and tradition. Ancient cultures all over the globe have celebrated this time of the year as the "rebirth" of the sun, the beginning of the solar year, as a festival in the name of the ancient Roman God Saturn, and Mitrha, the Persian God of Light. Monuments -- many of which baffle man to this day -- have been built to capture the Solstice (or "midwinter") sunlight: Stonehenge in England, and Ireland's Newgrange Tomb to name just a couple. So ingrained in the ancient peoples were this time and the symbols surrounding their celebrations, that anient Christians co-opted them, transforming them from their original purposes of aiding the sun's return by bringing light into the home (i.e. the burning of the Yule log; lighting of the "Christmas" tree); even language itself became repurposed as "the rebirth of the sun" became "the birth of the Son." The Solstice continues to have a powerful effect on us in modern times as we have come to realize the importance of sunlight on our physical, mental and emotional states: the recognition and understanding of Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) is just one proof of how powerful ol' Sol is in our lives. When this set was coming together, I never envisioned it being about this time of the year, but as at least three of the songs -- "Sunset," by Arty; "See the Sun," by Matt Darey and the Urban Astronauts; and "Anjunabeach" by Above and Beyond -- envoke the image and spirit of our Sun, it just seemed a natural for this set to be published today, on the Solsitce. So, as you celebrate this season, whether it be the Solstice, Hanukkah, Chirstmas, Festivus, or you roll them all up into one for Chrismahanukwanzakah, remember to take a moment (or more like 80 minutes) for yourself and this set. Invite the Sun back into your life, let it brigthen and warm you with the promise of longer days and the summer-to-come. On the shortest day of the year, at the start of Winter, I hope this trance set will chase away the darkness and nurture the light within you at this time of year. Happy Solstice!