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Solstice symbology and The Winter Passing

On Thursday 21 June 2018 The Winter Passing will officially be published and I’m talking today in a bit more detail about the solstice symbology in the novel.

Available for eBook pre-order now the paperback will be available shortly. The date of publication is relevant within the story with the Morrigan’s being particularly tied to solstice and as with other symbology this is explicitly and more subtly woven throughout the story.

As I don’t want to post any spoilers I thought I’d just share a little about the symbology and importance of solstice, and some of the qualities it is often linked with.

Summer solstice symbology

Not to get too basic but solstice happens twice in a calendar year and is also known as midsummer and midwinter. From an astronomy perspective it is when the sun reaches the most northerly or southerly points in the celestial sphere. Occurring in June and December along with the equinox it’s a date we form the seasons around and for many have spiritual or special meaning.

The summer solstice – also known as Litha – is a thought of as a time of renewal and intensity but there is much other solstice symbology. It is often linked with or represented by fire – itself a symbol of renewal, action and clarity.

For the Morrigans – the bloodline at the centre of The Winter Passing – key points in the calendar are linked to their magic, and are marked in special ceremonies. While The Winter Passing takes place in the run up to and on midwinter (the shortest day, considered as 21 December) Centaury Morrigan was born on summer solstice, 21 June and its qualities may be seen in her.

The House of Morrigan mark solstice with a ceremony at their island home. Before dawn they make their way to a sacred place, and for years the ceremony they perform has attracted tourists from both the magical and non-magical communities. Looked upon as performance, or quaint ritual there are few that understand the power behind it or channeled through those carrying it out but rather enjoy it as an entertainment.

Solstice has been marked by ceremony since the earliest days of humanity, across cultures, religions, and countries. Most broadly linked to path of the sun ceremonies take place in sacred spaces, communally or individually. The Morrigan then are just one group, one way, of marking this event and linking to it mystical (or in their case magical) meaning.

Solstice – both midsummer and midwinter – are key to the story of The Winter Passing but more widely in getting to know the House of Morrigan. And like other symbology and hidden meaning you’ll find them woven into the story and the series.

The summer solstice in The Winter Passing

Here’s an excerpt from the story as Centaury and her mother walk to the Morrigan’s summer solstice ceremony, on Centaury’s 13th birthday:

As we climbed between the slabs of rock I looked out over the headland at the flat outcrop toward which we were heading, its stone pillars standing like dark sentinels against the blue of the sea. My mother turned round, still smiling at me, and reached for my hand. As I took it I felt her heat as a shock against the cold of my palm, as comforting as it was uncomfortable.

She followed my gaze out toward the sea before looking back at me. “It’s going to be a beautiful sunrise Centaury. A beautiful birthday for you, my midsummer.”

She smiled again, the gleaming gold eye-shadow creasing around the corners, the pink, white and green of the crown soft against her forehead. She squeezed my hand, her smile turned to one of reassurance from the pride she’d looked at me with before, her voice serious. “Are you ready to stand with me at the Sanctuary of Gudemain?”

We both looked at the outcrop of rock in the sea, the thinnest line of white circling it where the surf broke. Beyond it on the horizon the sky was beginning to brighten, the first sign of dawn. She gave my hand another squeeze and smiled again, pulling me on along the path as she spoke.

Her voice was soft and melodic, like distant birdsong, “I remember my first midsummer standing at the Sanctuary. I was reluctant just like you are. But this is a very special moment Centaury. I can’t explain to you but you’ll see. You mustn’t be worried. Everything is about to change.”

The Winter Passing is available to order as an eBook and it’ll be delivered direct to your Kindle or Kindle App on publication day – 21 June 2018.  Order your copy here.

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eBook Pre-orders for The Winter Passing Available!

Pre-orders for the eBook edition of The Winter Passing – exclusively on Kindle – have opened over at Amazon.

For £1.99 you can order your copy and it’ll be delivered straight to your Kindle or Kindle App on publication day – 21 June 2018.

Order here: The Winter Passing by Sarah Lay – Kindle edition

With a cover design by Marcus Galley at Mammoth Creative Works, The Winter Passing is the debut novel by Sarah Lay. A contemporary fantasy with elements of magical realism it tells the tale of Centaury Morrigan and has themes of memory, perception and friendship. Find out more about the story by visiting Amazon.

When you order please help this independent author spread the word by sharing on social network or recommending to a friend. And when you’ve read do leave a review – either on Amazon or GoodReads so other book lovers can find the story too.

If paperback is more your thing then keep an eye out here, on Facebook and Twitter as it’ll be available to order soon.

The post eBook Pre-orders for The Winter Passing Available! appeared first on The House of Morrigan.

The Winter Passing at Circularity Festival

It’s been a while but we’re finally getting ready for the publication of the first book in the House of Morrigan series, The Winter Passing.

The novel will be out in paperback and on Kindle in June 2018 via independent publishing house Reckless Yes – follow on Facebook or Twitter for the latest info and pre-order links.

The first novel from Derbyshire-based author Sarah Lay centres on Centaury Morrigan. The days of Centaury’s mundane life are starting to fall through her; her job is going nowhere and her relationship with her childhood sweetheart is faltering. The island where she grew up is calling her home and it’s starting to bother her that she can’t remember why she ran away or what it was she left behind.

When she meets a man with an electrifying touch her memories start to return and she learns that those she thought she knew have been keeping dark secrets and the powers she possesses away from her. She must convince those who seek to lock her magic away that she may be the only hope for stopping the dark power rising and threatening them all.

The Winter Passing at Circularity Fest #1 – author talk in Burton on Trent

[image error]On Friday 22 June 2018 Sarah Lay will be speaking about The Winter Passing as part of Circularity Fest #1.

Held at the National Brewery Centre in Burton on Trent the event is a festival of ideas and music and will see live performances from Star From Ivy, Andy Crowe, and Emma Buckley as well as live podcasting and talks.

This first event is themed around mental health and Sarah will speak about the themes of mental wellbeing in the book, as well as how writing and creativity contribute to mental health. Profits from the night will be donated to charity MIND, after being doubled by Utility Warehouse.

Get more information and tickets for Circularity Festival #1 here.

Sarah said, “I’ve been really excited about the momentum being gained by Circularity, which has grown from an album to a grassroots movement trying to make sense of the modern world.

“It’s a real pleasure to be asked to speak about The Winter Passing and my experience as an author. I am looking forward to talking about where creativity comes from, the place it plays in mental health, and the themes in the book around memory, perception and friendship.”

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