Rattling the Bones

With the approach of the Winter Solstice coming up this weekend, I’ve been reviewing the last year and envisioning the next…   One of the most repetitive questions when it comes to Shamanism or traditional Spirituality is “why do you celebrate the Equinox and Solstice? And what do these celebrations mean to you?” Every year I give similar answers; but since Shamanism relates very much to experience, my perspectives always seem to come from a very particular context. As most of you know the Winter Solstice relates to the “longest night of the year.”   When we celebrate the Winter Solstice we are actually standing in “the darkest moment of the year.”   18 years ago give or take a year Gérard and I spent time with some Huron friends during the Winter Solstice.   As with many traditional First Nation people it is custom to have elders tell stories during festivities.   At this celebration some of the stories that were shared spoke of famine as a common occurrence for Huron ancesto