Solstice solitude
Capitol columns at the National Arboretum (Photo credit: Yantar Yoga)
This winter solstice is special. December 21, 2020 is not just the usual shortest day and the longest night of the year for the northern hemisphere, but also - uniquely - the great conjunction of Jupiter and Saturn when the two appear close to one another. This configuration has not been visible this widely in the night sky in about 800 years. The last time most of the world's population had the view of these two planets coming so close to each other was on March 5, 1226. Maybe my favorite Persian poet Rumi saw it? He would have been 18 at the time.
I chose the U.S. National Arboretum, DC’s hidden gem, to celebrate today. The weather cooperated - it was crisp but sunny and warm enough for me to do sun salutations en plein air (admittedly not 108 but still a respectable number). Today the Arboretum hosted a special solstice forest bathing event inspired by the Japanese tradition of shinrin yoku or taking in the nature through our senses. We wandered around the Asian collection experiencing the sights, sounds, and smells of first day of winter. I was surprised to realize how much greenery there still was around and how many other vibrant colors even though we tend to think of winter as grey. I loved all the shapes and textures of different plants and the damp scent of the earth satiated with the remnants of last week’s melted snow. And the silence.
I finished the shinrin yoku adventure in my favorite spot: the original 22 Capitol columns. Cut from Virginia’s Aquia Creek sandstone, they were a part of the eastern portico from 1828 until 1958 when an addition to the east side of the Capitol was constructed. After decades of neglect, the columns found their home at the Arboretum in the 1980s and are a striking sight to behold reminiscent of a Greek ruin in the midst of the wilderness. I was inspired to scribble these quick haiku poems strolling among the columns as the sun was going down. Happy solstice everyone!
Precious moments
Sun bows its head low.
Precious moments of daylight
Yield to longest night.
Sunset
Crisp December air.
Solstice sun sets in crimson.
Capitol columns.
Solstice solitude
Aquila sandstone
Reflecting in silent pond.
Solstice solitude.