Winter Solstice - Triskelion

Approaching winter solstice, the sacred wheel of the year has turned once again. As my ancestors did , I do now, and celebrate the solstice, the longest night and shortest day. We celebrate the return of the sun, and from now forward the days will start to get longer, lighter, and warmer. Whilst the solar year has run its course, completing its cycle a new year is getting ready to begin, bringing light, life and hope to the earth.

During this period, I’ve been reflecting on the overwhelming success of Queer Spirit Festival. We received so many affirming messages of support and love, that we decided to hold another festival in August 2024! Whilst reflecting on the festival, I’m reminded that being gay in the U.K was only legalised 50 years ago. In the grand scheme of history, the LGBTQIA+ community has suffered generations, decades, and more recently days of oppression, especially for the trans, non-binary community, and those members of the community that live outside the U.K. 

Overt homophobia  and transphobia want to push us back into the closet, it wants us to feel shame, and guilt. It wants us to internalise in isolation how we feel. Internalised homophobia and transphobia, stops us from living our best lives and yes it still exists! But what it means for the community is that by denying ourselves of who we truly are, by denying ourselves the pleasures of the flesh and internalising our feelings into guilt, shame, fear it causes great dis-ease. But I’m reminded that we are born of earth, we are born to love, this is why Queer Spirit Festival is so energetically important on a global scale. 

The festival provides a safer space for the LGBTQIA+ community who are still fighting against intersectional inequality and oppression, whether it be based on race, gender, sexuality, ageism, disablism, our identity as pagan and magic folk.  It’s an opportunity to gather, celebrate who we are and take off the armour and breathe and breathe some more. A space that we can be witnessed in, seen, heard, and importantly celebrated maybe for the very first time in our lives, because of who we are!

We connect with the earth. We connect with our ancestors. We connect with spirit. We connect with friends, loved ones both old and new, drumming and dancing around the fire raising our voices in both exalted rage and relief. 
So, if this resonates with you, I invite you to come and join us on 15-19th August 2024, and let’s celebrate our diversity together.  Wherever you are in the world, remember with winter solstice, the dark months are coming to an end and the light will return. 

Triskelion