Happy Solstice! From here on, the days will start getting longer again. This was cause for celebration in many cultures and you can read about them in The Return of the Light: Twelve Tales from Around the World for the Winter Solstice, by Carolyn McVickar Edwards. Mine was the 5th Anniversary Edition, but I've not read the earlier versions so I don't know if there were any changes. The grand variety of stories was certainly fun, but I most enjoyed the spins on familiar carols to make them appropriate for the solstice.

Today is the first day of winter, the shortest day of the year. Learn how humans figured that out in The Shortest Day: Celebrating the Winter Solstice, by Wendy Pfeffer and illustrated by Jesse Reiseh. Loved the different time periods, and locations and how various civilizations determined the day. In the back there are activities to do, too.

Yule: Rituals, Recipes & Lore for the Winter Solstice, by Susan Pesznecker, from Llewellyn's Sabbat Essentials was a delightful read. From the old rituals (tied to nature and a rural life) to new (adapted to city life and schedules determined by the clock), to recipes and crafts, it's all about celebrating this dark time of year. What I really liked was the idea of combining the various celebrations: pagan, religious, secular, personal ... embrace the differences and make something special of your own.

Reading Hermit With Dog