Winter Solstice

Created for The Wheel of the Year Exhibition 7th February - 30th April 2025 at Oil and Oak Gallery, Hay-On-Wye

Winter Solstice - 21st December

The Mari Lywd has been documented in South Wales since the early1880’s when men would carry the Mari Lwyd (a horses’s skull on a stick, the bearer disguised with a sheet) to local houses, where they would request entry in return for song. Those dwelling inside would be expected to sing in return, denying them entry. The two sides would continue in this manner until hopefully the householders relented and welcomed them in for food and drink. This would happen around the Solstice, Christmas and New Year. These days the Mari Lywd can be seen at many pagan events, throughout the year and interests in these old land based customs begin to seep back into our culture. In my opinion this reflects a desire for our busy culture to slow down and connect with a time when lives reflected the landscape surrounding them.

Available as an art print in two sizes, 297mm x 297mm and 148mm x 148mm.

The artwork is printed onto 100% recycled 300 gsm card which has a smooth, white finish.  All of The Moon and the Furrow greeting art prints are printed without water or chemicals onto 100% recycled paper or paper from sustainable managed forests, all inks are vegetable oil based and all toners are new generation eco-friendly.