A solstice is an astronomical event that happens twice each year when the Sun's apparent position in the sky, as viewed from Earth, reaches its northernmost or southernmost extremes. Today is the shortest day, the winter solstice. This time last year I was celebrating with my children and I teach my children to celebrate for those of you that don’t understand what that means it is the celebration of woodland elves (such as myself), and those around us that introduce light and allow sap to rise. This time last year we went to Stonehenge and celebrated the winter solstice there. It was a great solstice and we spent the whole time watching the stones. Drinking mead and watching the sun set the solstices, together with the equinoxes, are connected with the seasons. In some cultures, they are considered to start or separate the seasons, while in others they fall nearer the middle.

On the solstice of my 16th birthday, I was made Queen of the Woodland Elves. I had been unaware up until this point that due to my mother’s death, my grandmother, Eileen Prince had been made “Queen regent” or something similar until I cam of age. Simply on the understanding that she was to stand in for me. Apparently, my great-grandfather was not a great fan of this due to the fact that she had been banished from the elvish community. All you really need to know is that I was made high queen from the age 16. My daughter will, most likely, also go on to become queen and so on. My cousin is destined to take on the role of King. Enabling one side to always have control of the rising of the sap (Queens) and one side to enable the lowering of the sap (Kings) this is the circle of life.