A few powerful words, to see out the old year and welcome in the new. Not of my own this time, mind. This is a quote (for those of you that don’t know) from a book called Silver on the Tree by Susan Cooper, last in a sequence called The Dark is Rising. If you have seen the film however, delete it from your mind – it has no relevance here – no relevance at all, some might say, but that’s another discussion!

So, this rhyme refers back to the events in the books, which are, of course, fictional. Maybe it’s just because I read the books (and I recommend The Dark is Rising especially, it is full of information in between the lines!) but this really resonates for me – it always has. Especially the last two lines.

When the dark comes rising, six shall turn it back;

Three from the circle, three from the track

Wood, bronze, iron; water, fire, stone,

Five will return, and one go alone.

Iron for the birthday, bronze carried long;

Wood from the burning, stone out of song;

Fire in the candle-ring, water from the thaw

Six Signs the circle, and the grail gone before.

Fire on the mountain shall find the harp of gold

Played to wake the Sleepers, oldest of the old;

Power from the green witch, lost beneath the sea;

All shall find the light at last, silver on the tree.

Perhaps 2023 will be more of a Silver on the Tree year… Here’s hoping!