I’m pagan and this rare celestial event intrigued me. It was special and I wanted to do something different to celebrate it. The last time a total lunar eclipse coincided with the Winter Solstice (Yule) was almost 500 years ago and it will be at least 90 years before it happens again. I decided to get away from the city and go to the lake.

I went to Walnut Creek, which is a nearby branch of Keystone Lake. The night sky was clear and the temperature was around 48 degrees. I arrived around 11pm and I was the only one there. It was completely deserted. I was thrilled and excited. I built my bonfire from two huge tree stumps that were about a foot from each other. I placed more wood between them as well as my Yule log. It burned all night.

After I had the fire going good I went swimming (froze my ass off). I’ve gone out there to swim a few other times during the winter, but this was the first time I did it alone and at night. It was kind of scary because it was so dark and there were a bunch of coyotes and dogs howling at the moon. I recorded some of it with my phone once I got out of the water. It had freaked me out a little and gave me an adrenaline rush.

After I warmed up, I called the corners and started my Yule ritual. I was left feeling very for the upcoming year. It was a great spiritual experience. :)

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