Winter Solstice

December 21,  marks the day of Winter Solstice, this occurs when the earth’s axis tilt is the farthest away from the Sun. Though it only lasts one moment in time, midwinter or the first day of winter is where we experience the shortest day of the year. We know that our ancient ancestors found the Solstices and Equinoxes especially important, evident in the megalithic sites of Stonehenge and Brugna Na Boine (Newgrange). The primary axis for both has been aliened on the sight line pointing to the winter solstice sunrise (Newgrange) and sunset (Stonehendge).

Because this event was seen as the sun ebbing from the sky, the concepts of Rebirth of the sun gods are a common theme among ancient peoples. We could also view midwinter as a time of renewal rest. In the ancient times food was scarce and the severe winter storms kept people indoors and the hearth became a central gathering place to keep warm, eat and socialize. Hence the “Decking the halls” to keep the spirits high during the long winter months.

In my research I came across a few very interesting information on how other cultures celebrated Winter Solstice.

Saami Reindeer Carving

The Saami, indigenous people of of Finland, Norway and Sweden worship Beiwe, the sun-goddess of fertility and sanity. She travels through the sky in a structure made of reindeer bones. On the winter solstice, her worshipers sacrifice white female animals, and thread the meat onto sticks which they bend into rings and tie with bright ribbons. 

Dogon Dancers

Goru is the Winter Solstice celebration Dogon of Mali, It is seen as the last Harvest, and celebrates the arrival of Humanity from sky God “Amma”.

Zuni Tribe

Soyalangwul is the winter solstice ceremony of the Zuni and the Hopi Indians.  The main purpose of the ritual is to ceremonially bring the sun back from its long winter slumber. It also marks the beginning of another cycle of the Wheel of the Year, and is a time for purification. Pahos (prayer sticks) are made prior to the Soyal ceremony, to bless all the community, including their homes, animals, and plants. The kivas (sacred underground ritual chambers) are ritually opened to mark the beginning of the Kachina season.

^{Burning Yule Log} 

One of the tradition of a Winter Solstice celebration in Northern European countries is the Yule log. A log is burned in the central fireplace. According to tradition it must come from one's own land or be a gift, and it must not be purchased. It is traditionally ignited with the remaining piece of last year's Yule log. This way, the light is passed on from one year to another. The Yule log is to burn slowly for 12 days in the fireplace, before it is extinguished. The ashes are stowed away and in springtime mixed with seeds and brought out on the fields. Thus, the power of the Sun, symbolized in the Yule log, is distributed over the land. The rest of the wood is kept until next year to ignite the new log. 

The house is decorated with evergreen branches. The green reminds us of the promise that nature will be green again in springtime and life will return to our lands

It is also said  that there is a perpetual battle between the Oak King, the God of the waxing light,  and the Holly king, the God of the waning light. Each year at the Winter Solstice, the Oak King wins the battle and rules, until he is defeated by the Holly King at the time of the summer solstice. 

Newgrange - Inner Chamber Winter Solstice

And my favorite – Mean Geimhridh – Celtic Midwinter, and the best seat in the house would be Newgrange.  I can pull from my own experience of visiting Newgrange as to what it might have been like to be sitting within the passage tomb on the morning of Winter Solstice. To be surrounded by complete darkness, hearing the howling wind rushing over the mound. Waiting for a glimpse of the first rays to penetrate the passage way. I can image a sigh of relief they must have had at seeing the first rays of the morning sun light up the inner chamber.

As we can see no matter where you are on Winter Solstice it is a time of celebration.Where we welcome back the light into the world during dark time of the year, as we look towards the sun to light the pathway towards spring.

Wishing you all the Brightest of Blessings this Solstice,

Rayven

RavensWing

Research for Winter Solstice celebrations done with Wikipedia.