Zach Aboard: spiraling in the darkness

Monday, December 26, 2011

spiraling in the darkness

For many winters I have had this vision during the winter solstice. I wanted to borrow from the Waldorf tradition of an advent spiral and make it our own for the longest night, creating a spiral on the beach of driftwood and evergreens and candles. The problem in making this happen in years past was that I couldn't find a suitable place to make it happen and I couldn't find a group of people who were like-minded to share the idea. But this year that all changed. I put it out there to see what would happen and it all magically came together. My friend Cindy totally "got" what I was thinking and graciously offered to host a gathering on Solstice. The people, the weather, the joy of the children, the location, the food, the friendship, the darkness and the light... it all came together so beautifully. I'll let the pictures do the talking.

The place...

Getting ready...

Spiraling...

(our fabulous host)

Getting darker...

The longest night...

Comments (13)

Logging you in...

Dashboard | Edit profile | Logout

Logged in as

+1 Vote up Vote down

lyndamo 49p · 692 weeks ago

Happy Holidays to you and your lovely family. The photos take my breath away, truly gorgeous.

Report

1 reply · active 692 weeks ago

+1 Vote up Vote down

boatbaby2 85p · 692 weeks ago

Thank you Lynda! And happy holidays to you too!

Report

0 Vote up Vote down

Cidnie · 692 weeks ago

Gorgeous photos!! New lens? Not that your photos have ever been less than lovely but- wow!

Report

1 reply · active 692 weeks ago

+1 Vote up Vote down

boatbaby2 85p · 692 weeks ago

Gracias amiga. I am embarrassed to say that before I never knew how to use my camera :/ I shot on auto all the time. I took a 2-hour class and now a whole new world is open, yay! So I used my 50 and did it all on manual, adjusting ISO/ shutter speed/ and aperture with each shot as it got darker and darker. I am so happy I know how to use my camera a little better now. Next step, save for 1 or 2 faster lenses.

Report

0 Vote up Vote down

Mama Forestdweller · 692 weeks ago

Oh... my... goodness...this is so, so beautiful. What an amazing celebration. And the photos are stunning - especially the last one. Wow!!!

Report

0 Vote up Vote down

h west · 692 weeks ago

That is sooooooooooo cool! And I think the coolest part is that you found somebody like-minded to partake with you! It can be pretty difficult to find like-mindedness. . .Thanks for the pictorial journey!!

Report

0 Vote up Vote down

Chaitra · 692 weeks ago

Lovely photos!
These photos do look different than your usual!
You make all your photos cheery and colourful...
But, this... This is just wow!!

Really saluting nature on her longest night!

What exactly is creating a spiral for the darkness? What is the significance of it?

Report

2 replies · active 692 weeks ago

+1 Vote up Vote down

boatbaby2 85p · 692 weeks ago

Thank you for your kind words :) I am embarrassed to say I JUST learned how to use my camera last week. I always shot on auto and then hoped for the best or color corrected in Picnik. I am now using my 50mm fully on manual and setting for each shot. It's a learning curve but I am so excited to finally figure it all out!
As for the spiral... here is a lovely description of how it traditionally works http://mountainhearth.blogspot.com/2010/12/advent...
Rather than advent we adapted it for a winter solstice celebration, same idea though.

Report

0 Vote up Vote down

Chaitra · 692 weeks ago

Healing through the spiral... Interesting!

Report

0 Vote up Vote down

Lucia · 691 weeks ago

The whole thing is beautiful....the idea, the gathering of friends, the setting, the children's faces in the candlight, and your photos. May the new year continue to grace your family with warmth, joy, and light.

Report