It is our favorite party of the year, when we gather with beloved friends and family to honor St Lucia, the Lightbringer “who heralds the imminent Return of the Sun,” as my friend Helen Farias wrote on her party invitations back in the day. Helen, who was the original founder and editor of the Beltane Papers, started the Lucia Party back in the 80’s. I read about them in TBP when I lived in California and was utterly charmed. I was honored to be invited to Helen’s parties once I moved to the Northwest. Helen died of breast cancer in 1994, and we could not bear to celebrate again for a couple of years. In 1997, St Lucia’s Day (December 13th) fell on a Saturday and it was a Full Moon to boot. How could we not celebrate? Craig and I, along with the Circle of Stella Maris (our mermaid sisters and brothers) have been hosting the party each year ever since.
This is the first Lucia Party in Rainbow Cottage, which is about half the size of Heron House on the island. It meant we had to cut the guest list way down, which is very hard to do. There were about 35-40 guests this year, which is a comfortable size. There were a few years on the island when 70 or 80 people came. We just can’t manage that many people here.
I started our parties based on the traditions I remembered from Helen’s parties, and of course our community added our own touches — lots of live music, since we have so many musicians among us, and ending the evening with a drum circle. We also read the poem “The Shortest Day” when we light the candle of Little Yule. Many of the young women who have “played” St Lucy over the years grew up coming to the parties. My young friend Chloe, who was St Lucy this year, has been to our Lucia Parties almost every year of her life.
Here’s some photos from this year’s party.
Wow! just wow! What a lovely tradition! The way you celebrate S:t Lucia seems so much fun! You asked for differences in compared to how we do it in Sweden. Well, there is a lot of them! But I doubt there is any right or wrong way since it is a tradition developed over the years. First of all a sad thing I realized when reading your story, although we might be singing the same songs (in swedish ofc) I have a hunch that many of us just forgot WHY whe celebrate this day. This is just another day that marks that it is 11 day to christmas (Which is celebrated the 24th here for most people). Not much talk about bringing light back. Another big difference is that there really is not much of a party connected to it (pitty really) we do the parade and thats it. And, yes ofc why not forget – the brides HAVE to wear white otherwise its a scandal. It was a big uproar this year because the national Lucia wore something else…. Will send you a picture of a Swedish celebration later!
Hi from Cleveland, OH! Would love to have a book about hosting a St. Lucia party.
Absolutely, resoundingly YES to the e-book!!
It looks like a lovely time was had by all.
Thanks Anna! I agree that it’s important to uncover the meaning behind the traditions . . . and that’s what we’ve tried to do here. Jennie and Libby, glad to hear there is interest in an e-book. I’ll shoot for producing that for next year – by October or maybe September, to give people time to plan. Thanks!
Joanna I love the way you celebrate this holiday and look forward to your post about it every year. An e-book would be fantastic!
Thanks Ellen-Mary. The e-book is definitely on my to-do list for next year! Happy Yule!
Sister Joanna, how lovely to be sharing in this – it was almost like being there. Blessed be and Happy Yule.
Happy Solstice! I would so love a an e-book. Please! Thanks for adding me to your mailing list! <3