The Return of the Light: Twelve Tales from Around the World for the Winter Solstice

by Edwards, Carolyn McVickar

• ISBN13: 9781569246177
• ISBN10: 1569246173
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2000-11-01
• Publisher: Pub Group West

Summary

Celebrating the solstices -- particularly the moment of the sun's return at midwinter, on December 21 -- is a nearly universal human urge, one that dates back thousands of years and has been identified in a wide variety of cultures. Now The Return of the Light makes an ideal companion for all who carry on this tradition, no matter what their faith. Twelve stories -- from North America, China, Scandinavia, India, Africa, South America, Europe, and Polynesia -- honor this moment, helping to renew our wonder of the miracle of rebirth and the power of transition from darkness into light.

Table of Contents

Acknowledgments	ix
Introduction	1	(10)
Part One: The Theft	11	(52)
Why Hummingbird Has a Red Throat	17	(10)
The Golden Earring	27	(10)
Raven Steals the Light	37	(16)
The Sun Cow and the Thief	53	(10)
Part Two: The Surrender	63	(54)
How Maui Snared the Sun	67	(14)
How the Cock Got His Crown	81	(10)
Loki and the Death of Light	91	(14)
The Pull-Together Morning	105	(12)
Part Three: The Grace	117	(48)
Grandfather Mantis and His Thinking Strings	121	(12)
The Girl Who Married the Sun	133	(10)
The Light Keeper's Box	143	(10)
La Befana and the Royal Child of Light	153	(12)
Rites and Games for Winter Solstice Nights	165	(4)
Solstice Songs	169	(4)
Bibliography	173	(6)
About the Author	179