Between COVID and climate change calamities, perhaps I’m not the only person struggling to feel seasonal joy this year. Highways succumbing to washouts and landslides. Death on those highways. Farm animals dying in the thousands. Fuel rationing. No eggs on emptying grocery-store shelves. In Canada? Meanwhile Canadians still sicken and die from ever-mutating COVID.
Yes, I feel a bit glum. So, what to do?
At the winter solstice, ancient Egyptians brought green palms into their homes and temples in celebration of their sun god, Ra’s, return to health. Similarly, prior to adopting Christianity, Romans marked midwinter by bringing evergreen branches into homes and temples for their Saturnalia feast celebrating Saturn, god of agriculture. Ancient Celts and Vikings also used evergreens in their winter celebrations, lighting candles to chase away demons lurking in the dark of those long winter nights. The overarching symbolism – rebirth triumphant over death. Those traditions have gradually given way to our Christmas trees.
My quest was finding the right tree to chase the specter of gloom from my door. With a view to not wasting fuel by driving around looking for a tree promised to be in short supply this year due to the summer’s heat dome and drought, I took my handsaw and tramped around in my own woods. Not an appropriate fir to be found. A row of scraggly cedar trees, their roots threatening my aging septic system, provided the solution.
During a letup in deluging rain, I sawed the top eight feet off one of the cedars and dragged it dripping into the house. The tree that looked small outside, is huge inside. It is an odd-looking Christmas tree, octopus arms reaching across the room, one tickling my neck as I write. Lit and decorated it looks deranged, but my gloom is dispelled. Winter demons have fled in panicked disarray. Oh, Christmas tree, how ridiculous are your branches. You bring laughter to my world.
Wishing everyone joy, however and wherever you find it, during this festive season. Happy solstice and merry Christmas.
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