luna never lies

~~~ from the moon ~~~

the sun shines beyond the sky 

          the dark coats beyond the sky

the foliage blankets the floor

       the snow freezes the floor

the breeze puffs the chimney

          the current chills the chimney

the crystals float the heavens

          the shadow masks the heavens

the rebirth masquerades the song

          the death shrouds the song

~~~ the view of today ~~~

The Tradition, The Dance, The Celebration

A special world wide celebration known as the Winter Solstice is observed for the shortest day of the year occurs on Sunday, December 21, 2014 at approximately 4:30 pm (MDT) or 11:30 pm (UTC) but this is the time that Inuvik, NT (Northwest Territories), Canada marks this date.

But Inuvik does not really pay homage for the Winter Solstice as it has been in complete darkness since December 6th and the sun will not appear again until January 6, 2015 and even on this date it will be just a sliver above the horizon and only for less than an hour. This is when Inuvik celebrates the shortest day of the year. With a massive bonfire lit, dressed in their parkas and fur and standing on the permafrost, the people watch as the skies are once again filled with light.

Situated just above the 68 parallel which is 2 degrees above the Arctic Circle, Inuvik is approximately 100 km (120 miles) from the Beaufort Sea and then another 100 km (120 miles) to reach the Arctic Ocean but these bodies of water can only when travelling on the ice road during the darkest days and nights of the year (or of course through air travel).

There is a long standing tradition from the Inuit people that whistling to the Aurora Boreralis (Northern Lights) is when you can make them dance and come closer to the ground. Mind you, there are many beliefs that the lights are actually walrus' playing soccer with a human head and then all the way to the ghosts of the dead reaching down to take small children away. Which is the truth, only the one with story from their ancestors and then passed onto down to the next generation knows the truth.

So even though the Winter Solstice has passed, Inuvik will continue to stay in the dark for another few weeks but still the days are getting longer and the dark skies are slowly fading away to make room for the sun.

p.s. ~ I lived in Inuvik for just under 7 years and I have on many nights spent time outside in the -30 (-22F) to -40C (-40F) whistling to the lights and watching them dance.

Flowers for your Magical Moonlight Garden

Did you know that some faeries just love being outside when the moon is full and your garden is filled with splendid flowers that are awake and blooming in full or are very fragrant filling the evening air with wonderful aroma. 

To invite your faeries to your moonlight garden consider planting come of these flowers. Please note that this list could go on and on but it is easy to research for more :)

Moonflower  - the Moonflower is one of the most romantic plants you can grown in the garden. It's a statuesque, ideal evening-garden plant bearing large trumpet-shape flowers that unfurl in the evening (or on overcast days) and stay open until the sun rises. Some are sweetly fragrant when open. This beautiful plant is also very heat and draught resistant. Beware: it is quite poisonous, especially the seeds.  

Evening Primose - The Evening Primrose open their flowers in the evening and closing them again early each morning. 

Night Phlox - Blooms open in the evening releasing their sweet, honey-like fragrance. 

Evening Stock - These wee little flowers open at twilight and emanate a spicy vanilla scent. 

Four O'Clock - Just as their name states, these flowers open in mid to late afternoon and close up again the next morning. 

Nottingham Catchfly - These flowers are closed during the day but they open up in the evening and emit a powerful fragrance which resembles hyacinth. In the twilight of summer evenings its shining white flowers are especially attractive to butterflies. 

Night Blooming Cereus - This cactus family plant is rarely seen in the wild because for one midsummer's night each year, its exquisitely scented flower opens as night falls then closes forever with the first rays of the morning sun.  

Miss Ellen Willmott Lilac - These flowers are highly fragrant and their petals are reflective in the moonlight.

Yucca - These flowering stalks are open day and night. 

Flowering Tobacco - This plant gives off the most wonderful fragrance at night. 

Night Gladiolus - Flowers open wider at dusk and are very fragrant.