Mid-Winter [View all]
Last edited Sun Jan 25, 2026, 08:34 PM - Edit history (1)
An old friend from the Binghamton area, tired from shoveling, asked me if my driveway was in “snowed-in” condition? Surely it is, with the driveway following the pattern of seeming longer in the winter. Plus I am where I want to be, and there is no where else I need to be.
Instead I only venture out to re-fill the bird-feeder, which is the ground on the other side of the driveway. There are plenty of birds out there that I watch from a window inside. A group of eight deer also stop in more frequently for a bite in this weather.
I think of the families that lived here long ago, before electricity. Likely they were gathered around the fire places and wood stoves after doing outdoor chores, or busy preparing meals. The ancient human tradition of sitting around the fire at night, going back tens of thousands of years. As “the Preacher” taught, “The thing that has been, it is what shall be; and that which is done is that which shall be done; and there is no new thing under the sun.” (Ecclesiastes 1: 9)
More, I think of the Haudenosaunee (Six Nations Iroquois Confederacy. Chief Waterman taught me the names that actually match up with the general divisions in NYS archaeology that traditional Iroquois use: the ancestor, the ancestor's ancestor, and the ancient ones. While I have no idea when the Midwinter Ceremony was first practiced, it is very old.
When the new moon appeared, either in late January or early February our time, it marked the spiritual new year's beginning. For five days, one focuses on family and clan, and the needs of the very young and very old in the upcoming year. Then came nine days of fun and feasting, and numerous traditional ceremonies.
There are two ancient dances that are performed. The bear dance is for those in poor health. (It is interesting to note that archaeological, oral history, and contact-era written accounts tell of bear cubs being raised in Iroquois communities.) Bear dances were largely private events. The feather dance is an upbeat community event to ring in the new year.
There were games to play, too. One of I'm thinking of is the peach game, with peach pits ground smooth. One side is darkened, one left light. Paul said it recognizes the struggle the Creator and his evil brother engaged in when the Creator brought humans forth on earth. The ideas involve getting one's self closer thanking the Creator for all good things, and away from being influenced by the evil brother.
There is no new thing under the sun.
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