December 21, 2022 • 33 mins
In this episode, we celebrate the Winter Solstice through a midwinter walk in the woods while sharing several folk tales about the season, rituals old and new, and an interview with Jonathan Mearns of London Christmas Tree Rental, who offers an environmentally sustainable tree option to celebrate the lights of Yule.
Throughout, we explore how we, during these darker months, can find ways to let light in and become a part of our lives.
This week’s episode was written and recorded in Massachusetts on the native lands of the Wabanaki Confederacy, Pennacook, Massa-adchu-es-et (Massachusett), and Pawtucket people, and in New York on the land of the Lenapee tribes. Tree Speech is co-written and produced by Jonathan Zautner with Alight Theater Guild.
To learn more about our podcast and episodes, please visit treespeechpodcast.com. We’re thrilled to be able to offer interviews, creative insights, and stories about the natural world we live in, and the trees who guide our way. Please also consider supporting us through our Patreon - every contribution supports our production, and we’ll be giving gifts of gratitude including an invitation to Tree House, our new virtual community for patrons of all levels. Please also consider passing the word to tree loving folks, and rate and review us on Apple podcasts. Every kind word helps.
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Episode Transcript
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(00:14):
Thoroughly bundled in a warm wool coat and bulky.
Mittens, I assemble myself for my new tradition, a winter
solstice walk new because I onlybegan last year previously.
I didn't mark the solstice with Any rituals walks or poetry
mostly, I was simply grateful when the longest night of the
(00:37):
year arrived. Knowing that this signaled, the
beginning of longer daylight hours to come winter, had truly
arrived. And with it, these sacred and
still dark days. And yet each step in the snow
was one toward a little more light.
(00:59):
The winter solstice is the darkest day of the year, but it
is this very darkness that helpsme appreciate each.
And every new minute of daylightwe receive as time, moves us
onward, toward more light. This year feels different.
I'm savoring winter in a way I never have before.
(01:22):
There are both subtle shifts in my life and larger changes in my
career, which I am taking time to process.
I'm taking time to savor wintering using my resources to
absorb the last 12 months and prepare for the new year.
Ahead wintering is a concept. I recently learned from
Katherine May based on her book of the same title wintering is
(01:46):
the act of doing what winter does.
Slowing down pulling resources into oneself, exploring quiet,
time and activities and finding healing through small things.
But that's where the transformation occurs.
Though, I didn't previously practice rituals for the winter
(02:08):
solstice. I have always celebrated
Hanukkah, the Festival of Lightslike so many stories told deep
during winter light can often beinterchangeable with hopes or
Miracles. How do we during these darker
months? Find ways to let light in and
let light become a part of our lives.
(02:32):
My name is Dori Robinson and this is tree speech a podcast
where we strive to listen to theforest through the trees.
This week's episode was written and recorded in Massachusetts on
the native lands of the wabanakiConfederacy, Penacook
massachusett and Pawtucket people.
And in New York on the land of the Lenape tribes Tree speech is
(02:55):
co-written and produced by Jonathan's out, Nur with a light
theater. Guild, in today's episode, we'll
explore the winter solstice through a midwinter walk in the
woods. Including several folk tales
about the season, rituals old, and new and an interview with
Jonathan Burns of London Christmas tree rental, who
offers an environmentally sustainable option to celebrate
(03:17):
the lights of you'll Learning about the winter solstice from
our episode last year was very special to me.
I felt fortunate to share tales and traditions from around the
world. Now, I carry those stories with
me as I walk today and I will share a few.
As we listen for new Tales, the trees want to tell a bit of
(03:40):
History and Science before we jump in the word Solstice
derives from the Latin word, Solstice IAM and translates to
Sun stand still in the northern hemisphere.
The Need 22 Solstice took place on Wednesday, December 21st and
occurs when either of the Earth's poles reaches its
maximum tilt away from the Sun, the early Romans Egyptians
(04:04):
Druids and others observed. That by December the fields were
no longer producing. Crops leaves had fallen off
trees and many plants had died. Daylight hours, were waning, and
the sun was getting lower and lower in the sky in a world
without internet. Nets almanacs satellites or
knowledge of astronomy, the increasing darkness and Colder.
(04:27):
Weather inspired fear in order to dispel the sphere cultures
from around the world developed rituals to beckon the sun to
return to its full Glory rather than continuing on its path
disappearing. More and more each day each
culture, Mark the ebbing presence of the sun and the sky
(04:47):
fire festivals and rituals were born out of eating the sun with
light and warmth and simply needing to Stave off the cold.
At this time of year, I used to take to the woods almost solely
searching for answers or Solace since then the world of this
(05:10):
particular Forest has grown lessmysterious and more welcoming.
I've seen several trees enough times to discover their names.
I've listened to the Creeks of various trees leaning on one
another for support. And I've heard woodpeckers
tapping. About what sounds like messages
while hunting for food. I watched as The Little Brook
(05:31):
dried up during the summer droughts and celebrated when the
rain and water return. This fall today, I bring the
forest some small offerings carrying several gourds,
beautiful, fall decorations, that can now feed the deer and
other creatures in the woods. A friend, showed me an area
recently, where deer come to drink, I just need to remember
(05:54):
which way to go, so Speakers were wandering this path
together. Thinking about the dear, I am
reminded about the Dear Mother. The feminine source for the
story of Rudolph long ago. People believed that the dear
mother took flight on the longest night of the year, the
winter solstice carrying the sun's life-giving lights safely
(06:17):
in her. Antlers all while drawing, the
sleigh of the sun goddess behindher known as the life-giving
mother. Dear mother has long been
associated with the gifts of fertility, Regeneration and The
Rebirth of the Sun in so many ways.
She perfectly encapsulates. The winter solstice in ancient
(06:39):
drawings and pictographs. Her antlers are often depicted
as the Tree of Life carrying thesun moon and stars.
What a wonderful reminder. That something magical might
happen at any time. This is one of the most potent
lessons about the winter solstice, for me.
That magic, It is inter woven into our everyday lives even and
(07:04):
maybe, especially during this darker time of the year.
The trees on this particular Trail are mostly bare with a few
distinct, Evergreen saplings, growing, and holly leaves and
bushes to be found. Holly symbolizes many things for
different cultures. Pagans believed that the prickly
Thorn would ward off evil spirits.
(07:27):
The Celts believed that the undersides of their leaves would
provide shelter for fairies who in turn would be kind to any
homeowner who hung Holly branches for the Romans, Holly
was an emblem of the Agricultural.
God, Saturn and thus used as decoration during saturnalia an
(07:47):
ancient Roman pagan Festival. Honoring the agricultural God,
Saturn Saturnalia celebrations are the source of many of the
traditions. We now associate with Christmas.
Saturnalia took place from December 17th through the 23rd
though. Historians are unsure exactly.
When saturnalia was first celebrated.
(08:09):
It was most certainly an ongoingevent by 300 BCE and was a time
for a heavy drinking. And for subverting the social
order, people decorated with candles Holly, Evergreen
branches, they exchanged gifts and celebrated the returning,
light much like our modern day Christmas, saturnalia was a day
(08:32):
free from work and school, and the Roman senate was prohibited
from declaring war during the holiday.
The Fragrant and abundant greensfeel so, vibrant against the
other colors along this Trail for me evergreens are some of
the most enjoyable parts of the season.
(08:54):
It's their time to shine. Speaking of Evergreens, perhaps
the most recognizable decorationof the season is the Yule Tree
or Christmas tree, which is usually a pine fir Cedar,
Juniper or Spruce, the exact Origins are disputed but aspects
It can be traced back to Celtic Germanic and Viking Traditions.
(09:17):
The Christmas tree we now know with brightly colored
decorations and light developed in Germany and then spread
throughout Europe and North America in the 19th century.
Martin Luther is often credited with adding candles to a
Christmas tree in the 1500s, butthe first documented lighting of
a yuletide Evergreen wasn't until 1660 in Germany.
(09:40):
In fact, candles are mentioned in almost The every solstice
celebration in fighting a bit oflight into the darkness after
their adoption or invention by Martin Luther Christmas trees
became very popular in Germany, but it would be a few centuries
before they were brought to the English-speaking World.
Christmas trees, first became popular in England due to the
(10:02):
influence of Prince. Albert, the husband of Queen,
Elizabeth after his marriage to Elizabeth in 1840, Albert began,
decorating the All residents with the German Christmas tree,
inspiring, millions of others tobegin the tradition in England
and later in the United States. Recently, we learned about
(10:25):
London Christmas tree rental, founded in 2018 but Jonathan
Burns and Katherine Loveless. A few years ago, the two were
struck by how many Christmas trees were on the streets
waiting to be thrown away. After a bit of research, they
learned that 7 million trees arecut down each year in the United
Kingdom. In the US the number of trees
(10:47):
cut down is estimated to be between 33 and 36 million.
Many of these trees go into landfills and aren't able to
decompose properly or in a sustainable way.
Instead they wrought and emit greenhouse gases with a mission
to do things differently, Jonathan and Katherine explored
(11:07):
a rental option and created their own Christmas tree, rental
business. We spoke with Jonathan Justice.
The season was becoming very busy for him about the
sustainable way to Mark the holiday, let's listen to that
interview. Now, Hi, Jonathan.
(11:32):
Hi Dory. How are you today?
Yeah, I'm very good. Thank you very much, indeed.
How are you so far, so good? Thank you for making the time to
speak with us. We're really getting into your
busiest season. It's great to have the
opportunity to talk to you guys and you're absolutely right.
It's it's approaching the busy time.
Yeah, well, wondering Christmas tree.
(11:53):
Rental is such a unique businesspractice, and it's something so
special and so sustainable. And I'm excited to speak with
you about it. Can you walk us through the
process of renting a tree? No problem at all.
So London. Christmas tree rental is you say
we have our website at London, Christmas tree rental.com and
(12:15):
we've kept it. I think relatively
straightforward, prospective customers are going online and
choosing a tree that it's is a Norway spruce.
So it's a prickly a tree than your average fir tree, but they
have A choice 3, 4 4 4 5 foot 6 foot, simply click that link
(12:35):
order that tree, pay a 30-pound refundable deposit, and you get
a choice. If you're a previous customer,
you've rolling over a tree from previous years, then you can
have delivery. If you are a new customer, then
we asked you to come to one of our collection hubs and choose a
tree. Take the tree for Christmas,
bring it back. That's sort of what I'd how to
(12:58):
do it. We and that the Hub operation is
a fantastic way to engage with our customers.
And we've also found that choosing a tree can be, so very
subjective. It's, it's like human beings,
you know, one person's company, isn't someone else's, you know,
some people come along with the like, oh, there's a really weird
(13:19):
looking one. I love it.
I would say that would be me. So what is your background and
what led you to start this business?
I'm not a farm of never really been anything more than just
enjoyed Christmas and my kids love Christmas.
And if this idea just came to mewhile I was walking around West
(13:41):
London, 1 January and I don't know how it is where you guys
are but for us in London, it's it's very noticeable.
Will have trees for sale in late.
November early December. People will take those cut trees
home though, using for Christmas, and then, after
(14:02):
Christmas gets to January and then all these trees are
discarded. So we just had Christmas tree
graveyards on the Streets of London, and for me, I was
walking around and I come up with a brand am ideas, how do we
do this a bit better? Surely, there's got to be a
better way to do Christmas and specifically do Christmas trees.
(14:22):
So that is how the idea came to be is Just a walk with my
business partner, Catherine walking around the streets of
West London, and me, coming up with an idea and then between
us. Then how do we now put this into
practice? And we trialed it and it sort of
works. And then it just grew, excuse
(14:43):
the pun year on year and then you spruced it up from there.
So the trees grow in pots. Can you tell me a little bit
more about that? Yeah, so the That's exactly.
They always Bruce trees that aregrown from saplings in small
parts and then as they grow the pot size grows and we do have a
(15:08):
limit at the moment, which really means the tree is a 6 to
7 foot tree just because the potrestricts, it, who knows?
Who knows how the future will unfold and maybe there is an
opportunity to go bigger bigger part.
Sorry, are there special things that need to be done to care for
(15:29):
the trees? These trees are quite a hardy,
hardy Bunch actually. As long as they are in the
irrigation system songs that arewatered.
And sometimes they get a bit of a trim, a couple of times a
year, just to keep that shape asmuch as possible, bit of care, a
bit of water and the right amount of sunshine and they
generally are going to look after themselves.
(15:51):
That's amazing. So, that's the part when the
tree is brought back until the next holiday.
A season. It's mostly.
Watering a little trimming, a little care.
Yeah, and generally me walking around soaking up the smells
because beautiful smells you getfrom your cup trees?
Is that is effectively the tree dying?
That's, that's what's happening.I don't have that.
So, I can walk around the small trees and the big trees and
(16:14):
smell the trees as if they're living.
And and it's actually really quite noticeable.
You mentioned on the website that you encourage people to
name their trees. So that next year, they can
reorder. The same one.
How did you start that process and what are some of the
favorite names? You've heard as a good question,
I don't know. You get the Sparkles, you get
(16:35):
the Brewster's Spruce. You know, you get those little
things and they're actually quite nice as some people leave
decorations on. I think that's partially to make
sure they get the same tree backand it's not just a replacement
one, that's quite nice. I feel there's a there's a
connection then with their customers, this isn't just a
transaction. What else?
(16:55):
Have you learned by spending? So much time with trees?
Did you spend this much time with trees before you started
this business? No, I love the outdoors.
I love the hills and the mountains, and I've got to say
when you're having a tough day, stressful days, getting out and
about and doing some of the manual labor around the trees.
(17:15):
It's tougher disease at the end of the day.
You know, you've had a good workout and there's just
something that is something really quite refreshing.
It is a stress. It's really quite peaceful as
well. Actually.
It's calming it's peaceful. It's a bit of an oasis in a very
busy world that we live in what a special thing to have helping
(17:36):
trees and preventing trees ending in landfill, you know,
and what is the feedback been from your customers?
Yeah this is where it's really nice.
Actually the engagement we have our customer hubs the emails.
We get saying we love the idea. We love having a tree.
We enjoy the experience or we have although it was a bit more
(17:59):
prickly than we thought. But it meant it kept the dog
away. So there's all sorts of great
feedback that comes and it's it's just so nice.
So nice to be able to provide this service.
It's just yeah, lovely. You made something really
special happen in a short amountof time with this.
(18:19):
What are your goals for your business in the future?
Oh wow. That's a big question.
My dream, I guess I'd love to have 10,000 trees.
I mean, that's an incredible number.
I don't even know what 10,000 trees looks like.
Imagine being able to do service10,000, customers of some sort
of inner part of London. I think I feel that if I can
(18:42):
have an ambitious goal, then if I make it sixty percent of the
way there or something, then I'mdoing something slightly better
than I was yesterday. You know.
Right. Right.
And how wonderful to know that you're offering something that's
That benefits so many people andthat it's an idea that can grow
that has I would say that has legs but what we really mean is
(19:04):
it has roots. Absolutely.
Yeah. Yeah.
Jonathan it is inspiring that you had an idea made it a
reality and this idea is making the planet a better more
sustainable place. Thank you so much for what you
do and for joining us today. Dora, thank you so much really,
really kind of you to say and it's been an absolute Pleasure.
(19:26):
We really appreciate it. All the best.
Jonathan and his partner, Catherine show us the power in
revisiting holiday traditions. So as to make them more
sustainable, even more, the factthat they sell out every year
(19:47):
means that the idea is catching on and will hopefully grow as we
see with many of these winter solstice and holiday traditions,
they change with time London. Didn't Christmas tree.
Rental is an example of how we can hold onto the meaning behind
our favorite Traditions, but keep them in sustainable ways
(20:08):
that are good for our Earth and each other, Okay, after a few
twists and turns I finally foundmy path where the deer hang out.
It's muddy but I don't mind. I'm wearing Hardy boots, wool
socks and even leg warmers whichis a very underrated article of
(20:29):
clothing, in my opinion. Now, I'm going to throw these
gourds over to the other side ofthe marshy water.
So that the dear mothers can eatin peace, Great.
Okay. Well, now that the deer can eat,
(20:50):
I'll take a moment and drink some tea, just need to find a
slightly less soggy sitting area.
It's a good stump. It's really nice to drink
something hot and cozy especially because my nose is
cold. There's been some really nice
rain lately so there's a lot of bright Moss everywhere I look
(21:13):
and also mushrooms. There's a lot of different fungi
in the area which reminds me of an interesting mushroom, the
Amanita muscaria mushroom that has an unexpected lineage to
Christmas. You're probably familiar with
these mushrooms from their striking appearance, a bright
(21:34):
red hats, and white dots, various scientists and
anthropologists have learned that the smush room was used
hundreds of years ago in the winter, solstice ceremonies of
the indigenous peoples of the North Pole such as the Quarry,
ack of Siberia. The solstice was a ceremonial
and festive time for the indigenous communities in the
(21:55):
Arctic during which shamans collected.
The Amanita muscaria, mushroom. And led rituals that utilize
their hallucinogenic properties,the mushrooms were extremely
toxic and a process had to take place to render them safe,
including placing them on the branches of Pines to dehydrate.
(22:16):
The second method was to put them in socks and spread them
over the fire. An image that closely resembled
the Christmas tradition of hanging Christmas stockings over
a fireplace after the shaman hadingested them.
Mushrooms. The hallucinations and reactions
of the Amanita began. The legend says that during
(22:36):
their trip, the shamans managed to see the future of the
community and they would turn into animals and fly toward the
North Star in search of knowledge to share.
At the end of the hallucinogenicexperience, they would return to
the group to begin a solstice ceremony which included sharing
their Visions with the community.
(22:58):
Shamans Good Tropic. Journeys are believed to be
related to the idea that Santa Claus travels with his sleigh
and reindeer through the sky to deliver gifts over time.
This shamanic archetype changed and it is said that with the
travel of Druids, this tradition, spread to Great
Britain, then through cultural exchange.
(23:20):
It was combined with Germanic and Nordic myth says, well a
cheerful playful and a times realistic.
Santa Claus was the Ian, that Coca-Cola gave the illustrator
Haddon sundblom in 1931 which led to the current image of
Santa Claus. Who is dressed in a suit of red
and white closely, resembling the Amanita muscaria mushrooms
(23:43):
themselves It is important to Mark our growth in understanding
and inclusion at this time, as well.
Last winter solstice, We examined.
What we thought was the history of the Poinsettia, but we did
not know the whole story this year to make amends, we include
the full account. The original name for the plant,
(24:05):
we call, poinsettia is quite less show, shell cultivated by
the Aztecs long before the European colonization of the
Americas. The Aztecs used quite Lush.
Oh she'll for a variety of purposes, including decorations
and the production of red and purple dyes as well as for
medicines derived. From the plants milky white sap
(24:29):
responding to the lengthening nights after the autumnal
equinox wild quetta shell in. Western Mexico, came into full
bloom by the month of December the timing of this annual Bloom
for wild. Quit Lachelle began.
The plants association with the Christmas season, during the
16th century, when missionaries spread, the Catholic faith,
(24:53):
through the indigenous communities in Mexico, in the
southwestern Mexico City of Taxco.
Franciscan friars, use the plantto decorate, a nativity scenes,
the plants subsequently came to be called La Fleur De Noche,
Buena. Literally the Christmas Eve
flower or simply the Christmas flower.
In 1828, quit Le show shell was taken from its native home and
(25:17):
brought to the United States by Joel Roberts Point set, the US
ambassador to Mexico after successfully cultivating the
unique plant in his South Carolina, Greenhouse Point, set
began sharing, the plant with friends and colleagues, who
marveled at the plants colorful transformation during the
holiday season quietly show shell came to be known by its
(25:41):
most enduring name. Poinsettia after the man who
first appropriated the plant from Mexico Point set is
celebrated for introducing the Poinsettia to the United States.
However, his legacy as a slave owner and his role in the
displacement of countless Native.
Americans have led people today to reject the name poinsettia in
(26:04):
favor of the plants native namedQuentin show shell.
This year, the winter solstice and Hanukkah overlap Hanukkah,
commemorates, the maccabean revolt against the Greeks and
the second century, BCE marked by the rededication of the
second temple. The story told to Children is
(26:25):
that there was only enough oil to light.
The Candelabra for one night, yet it lasted for eight nights
Hanukkah is actually a minor holiday but grew in popularity
after the Great Waves of EasternEuropean immigration of Jews
came Came to the United States at the turn of the century, the
Jewish immigrants. Now had Christian neighbors who
(26:47):
celebrated Christmas which oftenmade Jewish children feel left
out so Hanukkah and all its lovely rituals grew while mostly
known for things such as Foods cooked in oil like latkes potato
pancakes, and sufganiyot donuts and four games like dreidels
spinning tops. That's not really what the
holiday is about. One of the main themes is A
(27:10):
great miracle happened. One involving hope Against All
Odds and light during very dark times one which allowed the
Jewish people to rededicate the second temple in Jerusalem.
In fact, Hanukkah means rededication.
It's interesting to me to have aholiday in the darkest month of
the year to explore the idea of rededication during the darkest
(27:35):
time asking ourselves. How do we want to take our next
steps? Do we want to dedicate ourselves
to? This is also the time of year
when people make New Year's resolutions, looking on their
actions of the previous year andhoping to embrace their best
possible. Futures in the year to come.
(27:56):
One of the main ways to celebrate, the holiday is to
light the canoe Kia, a 9 branched candelabra, increasing
one candle every night. There's always a bit of dramatic
build for me, starting with justone candle, plus the main
candle, the shamash, which lights the others and increasing
one more light every day of the week until finally, it's full
(28:19):
and glows beautifully Against The Dark Knight Hanukkah with
its themes of Hope rededication unlight.
Resonates differently with me this year with the growing rise
in anti-Semitism across the United States, I feel myself
clinging to this sweet holiday. All the more this year, I'm
trying to truly let the light inwherever I can find it
(28:42):
physically through the Hanukkah candles or Solstice, Yule Log,
but spiritually even more. I have found light through the
hope and inspiration. So many of our guests have
shared with us this season, theyeach let light in, in their own
ways, powerful caring woman, allof whom are change makers in
(29:04):
their communities and Beyond from Kristen Patterson of
project drawdown, exploring the intersection of climate Justice
and Reproductive Rights casaya Bascom, whose Grassroots compost
business diverted, over two million pounds of food scraps,
Craps from landfills, and we spoke with writer Storyteller
and fellow podcaster. Heather Porter on ways to
(29:27):
connect science, and in ecology and about the wisdom of the
Sacred rot. During the fall months.
Finally, we spoke with musician and educator neshama carlebach
on examining our family trees, and finding ways to create new
branches saplings and forests. Each of these inspiring women,
(29:48):
share, light with the world, Oldthrough the work that they do.
It is powerful to note that at atime when women's rights are
being challenged and our bodily autonomy is at Great risk.
There are simultaneously so manyextraordinary women who are
leading the charge in building care and greater Consciousness
for our communities and environments.
(30:11):
When I reflect on them. I have great hope even during
these dark days. I'm just finishing my walk now
pretty soon, I'll head home to take part in another new winter,
solstice tradition, my neighbors.
And I now gather for the solstice and make a fire
together, someone is making proper was sale.
(30:33):
Even we often let go of something from the past year by
writing down, thoughts on piecesof paper and offering those to
the fire, giving us a chance to start new and fresh in the next
year. This year, I'm letting Quite a
bit, go into the fire and leaving what I can behind in
2022. But next year, I really am
(30:57):
looking forward to embracing light in all its forms.
For me, I'll be thinking about ways to give myself a little bit
of space. I've been a perfectionist in the
past, and if there is anything, these last three years have
taught me. It is to let go of how we
normally look at things and our Plans.
(31:19):
There's a Yiddish saying that man plans and God laughs, and I
would love to open up to the light of flexibility and
possibility and Grace. In this new year.
Last year, we ended our winter solstice walk in the Woods,
reading a poem. Let's continue this tradition,
(31:40):
shall we? It is my pleasure to send you
into the winter, solstice with this poem called the shortest
day by Susan Cooper. And so the shortest day came and
the year died and everywhere down, the centuries of the Snow
White world came, people singingdancing to drive the dark away.
(32:04):
They lighted, candles in the winter trees, they hung their
homes, with Evergreen, they burned, beseeching fires, all
night long to keep the year alive.
And when the New Year's Sunshineblazed awake, they shouted
reveling through all the frost Ages.
You can hear them echoing behindus.
(32:24):
Listen, all the long Echoes singthe same Delight.
This shortest day as promised weakens in the sleeping land.
They Carol Feast, give. Thanks and dearly loved their
friends and hope for peace. And now, so do we here now, this
(32:45):
year and every year and welcome,you'll Thank you for joining us.
We wish you a warm inspiring Solstice filled with light and
look forward to connecting with you, to learn more about our
podcast and episodes. Please visit tree speech.
(33:08):
Podcast.com we're thrilled to beable to offer interviews,
creative insights and stories about the natural world we live
in and the trees who guide our way.
Please also consider supporting us through our patreon.
Every contribution supports our production and will be giving
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(33:29):
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Thoroughly bundled in a warm wool coat and bulky.
Mittens, I assemble myself for my new tradition, a winter
solstice walk new because I onlybegan last year previously.
I didn't mark the solstice with Any rituals walks or poetry
mostly, I was simply grateful when the longest night of the
(00:37):
year arrived. Knowing that this signaled, the
beginning of longer daylight hours to come winter, had truly
arrived. And with it, these sacred and
still dark days. And yet each step in the snow
was one toward a little more light.
(00:59):
The winter solstice is the darkest day of the year, but it
is this very darkness that helpsme appreciate each.
And every new minute of daylightwe receive as time, moves us
onward, toward more light. This year feels different.
I'm savoring winter in a way I never have before.
(01:22):
There are both subtle shifts in my life and larger changes in my
career, which I am taking time to process.
I'm taking time to savor wintering using my resources to
absorb the last 12 months and prepare for the new year.
Ahead wintering is a concept. I recently learned from
Katherine May based on her book of the same title wintering is
(01:46):
the act of doing what winter does.
Slowing down pulling resources into oneself, exploring quiet,
time and activities and finding healing through small things.
But that's where the transformation occurs.
Though, I didn't previously practice rituals for the winter
(02:08):
solstice. I have always celebrated
Hanukkah, the Festival of Lightslike so many stories told deep
during winter light can often beinterchangeable with hopes or
Miracles. How do we during these darker
months? Find ways to let light in and
let light become a part of our lives.
(02:32):
My name is Dori Robinson and this is tree speech a podcast
where we strive to listen to theforest through the trees.
This week's episode was written and recorded in Massachusetts on
the native lands of the wabanakiConfederacy, Penacook
massachusett and Pawtucket people.
And in New York on the land of the Lenape tribes Tree speech is
(02:55):
co-written and produced by Jonathan's out, Nur with a light
theater. Guild, in today's episode, we'll
explore the winter solstice through a midwinter walk in the
woods. Including several folk tales
about the season, rituals old, and new and an interview with
Jonathan Burns of London Christmas tree rental, who
offers an environmentally sustainable option to celebrate
(03:17):
the lights of you'll Learning about the winter solstice from
our episode last year was very special to me.
I felt fortunate to share tales and traditions from around the
world. Now, I carry those stories with
me as I walk today and I will share a few.
As we listen for new Tales, the trees want to tell a bit of
(03:40):
History and Science before we jump in the word Solstice
derives from the Latin word, Solstice IAM and translates to
Sun stand still in the northern hemisphere.
The Need 22 Solstice took place on Wednesday, December 21st and
occurs when either of the Earth's poles reaches its
maximum tilt away from the Sun, the early Romans Egyptians
(04:04):
Druids and others observed. That by December the fields were
no longer producing. Crops leaves had fallen off
trees and many plants had died. Daylight hours, were waning, and
the sun was getting lower and lower in the sky in a world
without internet. Nets almanacs satellites or
knowledge of astronomy, the increasing darkness and Colder.
(04:27):
Weather inspired fear in order to dispel the sphere cultures
from around the world developed rituals to beckon the sun to
return to its full Glory rather than continuing on its path
disappearing. More and more each day each
culture, Mark the ebbing presence of the sun and the sky
(04:47):
fire festivals and rituals were born out of eating the sun with
light and warmth and simply needing to Stave off the cold.
At this time of year, I used to take to the woods almost solely
searching for answers or Solace since then the world of this
(05:10):
particular Forest has grown lessmysterious and more welcoming.
I've seen several trees enough times to discover their names.
I've listened to the Creeks of various trees leaning on one
another for support. And I've heard woodpeckers
tapping. About what sounds like messages
while hunting for food. I watched as The Little Brook
(05:31):
dried up during the summer droughts and celebrated when the
rain and water return. This fall today, I bring the
forest some small offerings carrying several gourds,
beautiful, fall decorations, that can now feed the deer and
other creatures in the woods. A friend, showed me an area
recently, where deer come to drink, I just need to remember
(05:54):
which way to go, so Speakers were wandering this path
together. Thinking about the dear, I am
reminded about the Dear Mother. The feminine source for the
story of Rudolph long ago. People believed that the dear
mother took flight on the longest night of the year, the
winter solstice carrying the sun's life-giving lights safely
(06:17):
in her. Antlers all while drawing, the
sleigh of the sun goddess behindher known as the life-giving
mother. Dear mother has long been
associated with the gifts of fertility, Regeneration and The
Rebirth of the Sun in so many ways.
She perfectly encapsulates. The winter solstice in ancient
(06:39):
drawings and pictographs. Her antlers are often depicted
as the Tree of Life carrying thesun moon and stars.
What a wonderful reminder. That something magical might
happen at any time. This is one of the most potent
lessons about the winter solstice, for me.
That magic, It is inter woven into our everyday lives even and
(07:04):
maybe, especially during this darker time of the year.
The trees on this particular Trail are mostly bare with a few
distinct, Evergreen saplings, growing, and holly leaves and
bushes to be found. Holly symbolizes many things for
different cultures. Pagans believed that the prickly
Thorn would ward off evil spirits.
(07:27):
The Celts believed that the undersides of their leaves would
provide shelter for fairies who in turn would be kind to any
homeowner who hung Holly branches for the Romans, Holly
was an emblem of the Agricultural.
God, Saturn and thus used as decoration during saturnalia an
(07:47):
ancient Roman pagan Festival. Honoring the agricultural God,
Saturn Saturnalia celebrations are the source of many of the
traditions. We now associate with Christmas.
Saturnalia took place from December 17th through the 23rd
though. Historians are unsure exactly.
When saturnalia was first celebrated.
(08:09):
It was most certainly an ongoingevent by 300 BCE and was a time
for a heavy drinking. And for subverting the social
order, people decorated with candles Holly, Evergreen
branches, they exchanged gifts and celebrated the returning,
light much like our modern day Christmas, saturnalia was a day
(08:32):
free from work and school, and the Roman senate was prohibited
from declaring war during the holiday.
The Fragrant and abundant greensfeel so, vibrant against the
other colors along this Trail for me evergreens are some of
the most enjoyable parts of the season.
(08:54):
It's their time to shine. Speaking of Evergreens, perhaps
the most recognizable decorationof the season is the Yule Tree
or Christmas tree, which is usually a pine fir Cedar,
Juniper or Spruce, the exact Origins are disputed but aspects
It can be traced back to Celtic Germanic and Viking Traditions.
(09:17):
The Christmas tree we now know with brightly colored
decorations and light developed in Germany and then spread
throughout Europe and North America in the 19th century.
Martin Luther is often credited with adding candles to a
Christmas tree in the 1500s, butthe first documented lighting of
a yuletide Evergreen wasn't until 1660 in Germany.
(09:40):
In fact, candles are mentioned in almost The every solstice
celebration in fighting a bit oflight into the darkness after
their adoption or invention by Martin Luther Christmas trees
became very popular in Germany, but it would be a few centuries
before they were brought to the English-speaking World.
Christmas trees, first became popular in England due to the
(10:02):
influence of Prince. Albert, the husband of Queen,
Elizabeth after his marriage to Elizabeth in 1840, Albert began,
decorating the All residents with the German Christmas tree,
inspiring, millions of others tobegin the tradition in England
and later in the United States. Recently, we learned about
(10:25):
London Christmas tree rental, founded in 2018 but Jonathan
Burns and Katherine Loveless. A few years ago, the two were
struck by how many Christmas trees were on the streets
waiting to be thrown away. After a bit of research, they
learned that 7 million trees arecut down each year in the United
Kingdom. In the US the number of trees
(10:47):
cut down is estimated to be between 33 and 36 million.
Many of these trees go into landfills and aren't able to
decompose properly or in a sustainable way.
Instead they wrought and emit greenhouse gases with a mission
to do things differently, Jonathan and Katherine explored
(11:07):
a rental option and created their own Christmas tree, rental
business. We spoke with Jonathan Justice.
The season was becoming very busy for him about the
sustainable way to Mark the holiday, let's listen to that
interview. Now, Hi, Jonathan.
(11:32):
Hi Dory. How are you today?
Yeah, I'm very good. Thank you very much, indeed.
How are you so far, so good? Thank you for making the time to
speak with us. We're really getting into your
busiest season. It's great to have the
opportunity to talk to you guys and you're absolutely right.
It's it's approaching the busy time.
Yeah, well, wondering Christmas tree.
(11:53):
Rental is such a unique businesspractice, and it's something so
special and so sustainable. And I'm excited to speak with
you about it. Can you walk us through the
process of renting a tree? No problem at all.
So London. Christmas tree rental is you say
we have our website at London, Christmas tree rental.com and
(12:15):
we've kept it. I think relatively
straightforward, prospective customers are going online and
choosing a tree that it's is a Norway spruce.
So it's a prickly a tree than your average fir tree, but they
have A choice 3, 4 4 4 5 foot 6 foot, simply click that link
(12:35):
order that tree, pay a 30-pound refundable deposit, and you get
a choice. If you're a previous customer,
you've rolling over a tree from previous years, then you can
have delivery. If you are a new customer, then
we asked you to come to one of our collection hubs and choose a
tree. Take the tree for Christmas,
bring it back. That's sort of what I'd how to
(12:58):
do it. We and that the Hub operation is
a fantastic way to engage with our customers.
And we've also found that choosing a tree can be, so very
subjective. It's, it's like human beings,
you know, one person's company, isn't someone else's, you know,
some people come along with the like, oh, there's a really weird
(13:19):
looking one. I love it.
I would say that would be me. So what is your background and
what led you to start this business?
I'm not a farm of never really been anything more than just
enjoyed Christmas and my kids love Christmas.
And if this idea just came to mewhile I was walking around West
(13:41):
London, 1 January and I don't know how it is where you guys
are but for us in London, it's it's very noticeable.
Will have trees for sale in late.
November early December. People will take those cut trees
home though, using for Christmas, and then, after
(14:02):
Christmas gets to January and then all these trees are
discarded. So we just had Christmas tree
graveyards on the Streets of London, and for me, I was
walking around and I come up with a brand am ideas, how do we
do this a bit better? Surely, there's got to be a
better way to do Christmas and specifically do Christmas trees.
(14:22):
So that is how the idea came to be is Just a walk with my
business partner, Catherine walking around the streets of
West London, and me, coming up with an idea and then between
us. Then how do we now put this into
practice? And we trialed it and it sort of
works. And then it just grew, excuse
(14:43):
the pun year on year and then you spruced it up from there.
So the trees grow in pots. Can you tell me a little bit
more about that? Yeah, so the That's exactly.
They always Bruce trees that aregrown from saplings in small
parts and then as they grow the pot size grows and we do have a
(15:08):
limit at the moment, which really means the tree is a 6 to
7 foot tree just because the potrestricts, it, who knows?
Who knows how the future will unfold and maybe there is an
opportunity to go bigger bigger part.
Sorry, are there special things that need to be done to care for
(15:29):
the trees? These trees are quite a hardy,
hardy Bunch actually. As long as they are in the
irrigation system songs that arewatered.
And sometimes they get a bit of a trim, a couple of times a
year, just to keep that shape asmuch as possible, bit of care, a
bit of water and the right amount of sunshine and they
generally are going to look after themselves.
(15:51):
That's amazing. So, that's the part when the
tree is brought back until the next holiday.
A season. It's mostly.
Watering a little trimming, a little care.
Yeah, and generally me walking around soaking up the smells
because beautiful smells you getfrom your cup trees?
Is that is effectively the tree dying?
That's, that's what's happening.I don't have that.
So, I can walk around the small trees and the big trees and
(16:14):
smell the trees as if they're living.
And and it's actually really quite noticeable.
You mentioned on the website that you encourage people to
name their trees. So that next year, they can
reorder. The same one.
How did you start that process and what are some of the
favorite names? You've heard as a good question,
I don't know. You get the Sparkles, you get
(16:35):
the Brewster's Spruce. You know, you get those little
things and they're actually quite nice as some people leave
decorations on. I think that's partially to make
sure they get the same tree backand it's not just a replacement
one, that's quite nice. I feel there's a there's a
connection then with their customers, this isn't just a
transaction. What else?
(16:55):
Have you learned by spending? So much time with trees?
Did you spend this much time with trees before you started
this business? No, I love the outdoors.
I love the hills and the mountains, and I've got to say
when you're having a tough day, stressful days, getting out and
about and doing some of the manual labor around the trees.
(17:15):
It's tougher disease at the end of the day.
You know, you've had a good workout and there's just
something that is something really quite refreshing.
It is a stress. It's really quite peaceful as
well. Actually.
It's calming it's peaceful. It's a bit of an oasis in a very
busy world that we live in what a special thing to have helping
(17:36):
trees and preventing trees ending in landfill, you know,
and what is the feedback been from your customers?
Yeah this is where it's really nice.
Actually the engagement we have our customer hubs the emails.
We get saying we love the idea. We love having a tree.
We enjoy the experience or we have although it was a bit more
(17:59):
prickly than we thought. But it meant it kept the dog
away. So there's all sorts of great
feedback that comes and it's it's just so nice.
So nice to be able to provide this service.
It's just yeah, lovely. You made something really
special happen in a short amountof time with this.
(18:19):
What are your goals for your business in the future?
Oh wow. That's a big question.
My dream, I guess I'd love to have 10,000 trees.
I mean, that's an incredible number.
I don't even know what 10,000 trees looks like.
Imagine being able to do service10,000, customers of some sort
of inner part of London. I think I feel that if I can
(18:42):
have an ambitious goal, then if I make it sixty percent of the
way there or something, then I'mdoing something slightly better
than I was yesterday. You know.
Right. Right.
And how wonderful to know that you're offering something that's
That benefits so many people andthat it's an idea that can grow
that has I would say that has legs but what we really mean is
(19:04):
it has roots. Absolutely.
Yeah. Yeah.
Jonathan it is inspiring that you had an idea made it a
reality and this idea is making the planet a better more
sustainable place. Thank you so much for what you
do and for joining us today. Dora, thank you so much really,
really kind of you to say and it's been an absolute Pleasure.
(19:26):
We really appreciate it. All the best.
Jonathan and his partner, Catherine show us the power in
revisiting holiday traditions. So as to make them more
sustainable, even more, the factthat they sell out every year
(19:47):
means that the idea is catching on and will hopefully grow as we
see with many of these winter solstice and holiday traditions,
they change with time London. Didn't Christmas tree.
Rental is an example of how we can hold onto the meaning behind
our favorite Traditions, but keep them in sustainable ways
(20:08):
that are good for our Earth and each other, Okay, after a few
twists and turns I finally foundmy path where the deer hang out.
It's muddy but I don't mind. I'm wearing Hardy boots, wool
socks and even leg warmers whichis a very underrated article of
(20:29):
clothing, in my opinion. Now, I'm going to throw these
gourds over to the other side ofthe marshy water.
So that the dear mothers can eatin peace, Great.
Okay. Well, now that the deer can eat,
(20:50):
I'll take a moment and drink some tea, just need to find a
slightly less soggy sitting area.
It's a good stump. It's really nice to drink
something hot and cozy especially because my nose is
cold. There's been some really nice
rain lately so there's a lot of bright Moss everywhere I look
(21:13):
and also mushrooms. There's a lot of different fungi
in the area which reminds me of an interesting mushroom, the
Amanita muscaria mushroom that has an unexpected lineage to
Christmas. You're probably familiar with
these mushrooms from their striking appearance, a bright
(21:34):
red hats, and white dots, various scientists and
anthropologists have learned that the smush room was used
hundreds of years ago in the winter, solstice ceremonies of
the indigenous peoples of the North Pole such as the Quarry,
ack of Siberia. The solstice was a ceremonial
and festive time for the indigenous communities in the
(21:55):
Arctic during which shamans collected.
The Amanita muscaria, mushroom. And led rituals that utilize
their hallucinogenic properties,the mushrooms were extremely
toxic and a process had to take place to render them safe,
including placing them on the branches of Pines to dehydrate.
(22:16):
The second method was to put them in socks and spread them
over the fire. An image that closely resembled
the Christmas tradition of hanging Christmas stockings over
a fireplace after the shaman hadingested them.
Mushrooms. The hallucinations and reactions
of the Amanita began. The legend says that during
(22:36):
their trip, the shamans managed to see the future of the
community and they would turn into animals and fly toward the
North Star in search of knowledge to share.
At the end of the hallucinogenicexperience, they would return to
the group to begin a solstice ceremony which included sharing
their Visions with the community.
(22:58):
Shamans Good Tropic. Journeys are believed to be
related to the idea that Santa Claus travels with his sleigh
and reindeer through the sky to deliver gifts over time.
This shamanic archetype changed and it is said that with the
travel of Druids, this tradition, spread to Great
Britain, then through cultural exchange.
(23:20):
It was combined with Germanic and Nordic myth says, well a
cheerful playful and a times realistic.
Santa Claus was the Ian, that Coca-Cola gave the illustrator
Haddon sundblom in 1931 which led to the current image of
Santa Claus. Who is dressed in a suit of red
and white closely, resembling the Amanita muscaria mushrooms
(23:43):
themselves It is important to Mark our growth in understanding
and inclusion at this time, as well.
Last winter solstice, We examined.
What we thought was the history of the Poinsettia, but we did
not know the whole story this year to make amends, we include
the full account. The original name for the plant,
(24:05):
we call, poinsettia is quite less show, shell cultivated by
the Aztecs long before the European colonization of the
Americas. The Aztecs used quite Lush.
Oh she'll for a variety of purposes, including decorations
and the production of red and purple dyes as well as for
medicines derived. From the plants milky white sap
(24:29):
responding to the lengthening nights after the autumnal
equinox wild quetta shell in. Western Mexico, came into full
bloom by the month of December the timing of this annual Bloom
for wild. Quit Lachelle began.
The plants association with the Christmas season, during the
16th century, when missionaries spread, the Catholic faith,
(24:53):
through the indigenous communities in Mexico, in the
southwestern Mexico City of Taxco.
Franciscan friars, use the plantto decorate, a nativity scenes,
the plants subsequently came to be called La Fleur De Noche,
Buena. Literally the Christmas Eve
flower or simply the Christmas flower.
In 1828, quit Le show shell was taken from its native home and
(25:17):
brought to the United States by Joel Roberts Point set, the US
ambassador to Mexico after successfully cultivating the
unique plant in his South Carolina, Greenhouse Point, set
began sharing, the plant with friends and colleagues, who
marveled at the plants colorful transformation during the
holiday season quietly show shell came to be known by its
(25:41):
most enduring name. Poinsettia after the man who
first appropriated the plant from Mexico Point set is
celebrated for introducing the Poinsettia to the United States.
However, his legacy as a slave owner and his role in the
displacement of countless Native.
Americans have led people today to reject the name poinsettia in
(26:04):
favor of the plants native namedQuentin show shell.
This year, the winter solstice and Hanukkah overlap Hanukkah,
commemorates, the maccabean revolt against the Greeks and
the second century, BCE marked by the rededication of the
second temple. The story told to Children is
(26:25):
that there was only enough oil to light.
The Candelabra for one night, yet it lasted for eight nights
Hanukkah is actually a minor holiday but grew in popularity
after the Great Waves of EasternEuropean immigration of Jews
came Came to the United States at the turn of the century, the
Jewish immigrants. Now had Christian neighbors who
(26:47):
celebrated Christmas which oftenmade Jewish children feel left
out so Hanukkah and all its lovely rituals grew while mostly
known for things such as Foods cooked in oil like latkes potato
pancakes, and sufganiyot donuts and four games like dreidels
spinning tops. That's not really what the
holiday is about. One of the main themes is A
(27:10):
great miracle happened. One involving hope Against All
Odds and light during very dark times one which allowed the
Jewish people to rededicate the second temple in Jerusalem.
In fact, Hanukkah means rededication.
It's interesting to me to have aholiday in the darkest month of
the year to explore the idea of rededication during the darkest
(27:35):
time asking ourselves. How do we want to take our next
steps? Do we want to dedicate ourselves
to? This is also the time of year
when people make New Year's resolutions, looking on their
actions of the previous year andhoping to embrace their best
possible. Futures in the year to come.
(27:56):
One of the main ways to celebrate, the holiday is to
light the canoe Kia, a 9 branched candelabra, increasing
one candle every night. There's always a bit of dramatic
build for me, starting with justone candle, plus the main
candle, the shamash, which lights the others and increasing
one more light every day of the week until finally, it's full
(28:19):
and glows beautifully Against The Dark Knight Hanukkah with
its themes of Hope rededication unlight.
Resonates differently with me this year with the growing rise
in anti-Semitism across the United States, I feel myself
clinging to this sweet holiday. All the more this year, I'm
trying to truly let the light inwherever I can find it
(28:42):
physically through the Hanukkah candles or Solstice, Yule Log,
but spiritually even more. I have found light through the
hope and inspiration. So many of our guests have
shared with us this season, theyeach let light in, in their own
ways, powerful caring woman, allof whom are change makers in
(29:04):
their communities and Beyond from Kristen Patterson of
project drawdown, exploring the intersection of climate Justice
and Reproductive Rights casaya Bascom, whose Grassroots compost
business diverted, over two million pounds of food scraps,
Craps from landfills, and we spoke with writer Storyteller
and fellow podcaster. Heather Porter on ways to
(29:27):
connect science, and in ecology and about the wisdom of the
Sacred rot. During the fall months.
Finally, we spoke with musician and educator neshama carlebach
on examining our family trees, and finding ways to create new
branches saplings and forests. Each of these inspiring women,
(29:48):
share, light with the world, Oldthrough the work that they do.
It is powerful to note that at atime when women's rights are
being challenged and our bodily autonomy is at Great risk.
There are simultaneously so manyextraordinary women who are
leading the charge in building care and greater Consciousness
for our communities and environments.
(30:11):
When I reflect on them. I have great hope even during
these dark days. I'm just finishing my walk now
pretty soon, I'll head home to take part in another new winter,
solstice tradition, my neighbors.
And I now gather for the solstice and make a fire
together, someone is making proper was sale.
(30:33):
Even we often let go of something from the past year by
writing down, thoughts on piecesof paper and offering those to
the fire, giving us a chance to start new and fresh in the next
year. This year, I'm letting Quite a
bit, go into the fire and leaving what I can behind in
2022. But next year, I really am
(30:57):
looking forward to embracing light in all its forms.
For me, I'll be thinking about ways to give myself a little bit
of space. I've been a perfectionist in the
past, and if there is anything, these last three years have
taught me. It is to let go of how we
normally look at things and our Plans.
(31:19):
There's a Yiddish saying that man plans and God laughs, and I
would love to open up to the light of flexibility and
possibility and Grace. In this new year.
Last year, we ended our winter solstice walk in the Woods,
reading a poem. Let's continue this tradition,
(31:40):
shall we? It is my pleasure to send you
into the winter, solstice with this poem called the shortest
day by Susan Cooper. And so the shortest day came and
the year died and everywhere down, the centuries of the Snow
White world came, people singingdancing to drive the dark away.
(32:04):
They lighted, candles in the winter trees, they hung their
homes, with Evergreen, they burned, beseeching fires, all
night long to keep the year alive.
And when the New Year's Sunshineblazed awake, they shouted
reveling through all the frost Ages.
You can hear them echoing behindus.
(32:24):
Listen, all the long Echoes singthe same Delight.
This shortest day as promised weakens in the sleeping land.
They Carol Feast, give. Thanks and dearly loved their
friends and hope for peace. And now, so do we here now, this
(32:45):
year and every year and welcome,you'll Thank you for joining us.
We wish you a warm inspiring Solstice filled with light and
look forward to connecting with you, to learn more about our
podcast and episodes. Please visit tree speech.
(33:08):
Podcast.com we're thrilled to beable to offer interviews,
creative insights and stories about the natural world we live
in and the trees who guide our way.
Please also consider supporting us through our patreon.
Every contribution supports our production and will be giving
gifts of gratitude, including aninvitation to Treehouse our new
(33:29):
virtual community for patrons ofall levels.
Please also consider passing word to tree-loving, folks, and
rate and review us on Apple podcasts.
Every kind word helps.
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Cold Case Files: Miami
Joyce Sapp, 76; Bryan Herrera, 16; and Laurance Webb, 32—three Miami residents whose lives were stolen in brutal, unsolved homicides. Cold Case Files: Miami follows award‑winning radio host and City of Miami Police reserve officer Enrique Santos as he partners with the department’s Cold Case Homicide Unit, determined family members, and the advocates who spend their lives fighting for justice for the victims who can no longer fight for themselves.