New Worlds of Body, Mind & Spirit Since 1901
| Hanukkah begins today, the Jewish Festival of Lights.
People light candles, one per night, until all eight candles on the menorah are aglow. This commemorates a historic miracle in which a small container of oil kept temple lamps lit for eight nights until fresh oil could be obtained. The Festival of Lights celebrates spirituality, community, and the divine light that shines through cold dark times. From a Pagan perspective, we may consider how the energy of life shines even beneath the snows of winter. Build a ring of eight snow lanterns: a hollow dome of snow with a smoke hole and a lit tealight inside. The candlelight shines through the snow, reminding us of the sleeping seeds below. For us, the eight snow lanterns represent the quarter days and crossquarter days of the wheel of the year. We are also reminded to interact peacefully with people of other faiths. |
