Winter is a peculiar time. Though modern living makes it easy to stay warm with the help of the right HVAC system or a reliable fireplace, it was not always so simple. Human beings lived for thousands upon thousands of years without these luxuries, making the winter into a harsh and difficult period for many. To get through this time, many would turn to tradition and ritual. Though the days ahead would be cold, the winter solstice provided an event for people to reflect upon the past year and prepare for what lay in waiting.
The winter solstice is an annual event observed by scientists, pagans, agriculturalists and secular people alike. It marks the day of the year containing the shortest amount of sunlight and the longest amount of darkness. Astronomically speaking, this is the “changing point” where the sun begins to maximize its daily elevation. Though the days become longer from this point until the summer solstice, the thick of the winter is still in store.
Rejoice and Prepare
The ancient people of the world were no strangers to the importance of the solstice from a scientific perspective. They were quite aware of the fact that the sun would be returning in a few months, and the winter solstice celebration centered around this. Prayers would be said during long nighttime ceremonies around this time. The aim of these prayers and incantations was to wish for good health and prosperity in the cold days ahead. Since the solstice falls on a different day each year, a large feast would mark the actual holiday.
During this feast, people of a community would gather together and light fires. Songs would be sung around the warm glow of the blaze as drinks were consumed and life was celebrated to the fullest. Some families would take to burning logs in their homes instead of in a public space. This tradition eventually mixed with other pagan celebrations of the time to create the idea of the “Yule log.” Scholars argue about the exact origin of this practice, though it is generally agreed that it was greatly influenced by the rituals of the winter solstice.
Give and Relax
Modern celebrations of the solstice focus on the main themes of the holiday. Specifically, the opportunity to slow things down and focus on how to prepare for the hardships of the future. Because of this, a number of pagans use the winter solstice as an opportunity to declutter in both literal and abstract ways. Clearing the home of unwanted items and donating them to charity is a common practice, as it allows a person the opportunity to start fresh while simultaneously “paying it forward” with wealth.
Relaxation is also important for this holiday. For early people, the celebration fell at a time when the harvest was already complete and the winter’s difficulties were still on the horizon. Though modern pagans are not always farmers, the “post-harvest” relaxation period is still an important aspect of the solstice.
Say a Little Prayer
If you are looking for a simple way to observe the solstice this year, a small altar might be the right fit for you. Place a candle on a small table, and surround it with a mix of personal items and things related to the season, like pinecones or a few juniper berries. Light the candle and think about the events of the year and how they have shaped you. Take time to meditate on how these past circumstances impacted you and what it means for your future. This short ritual might help to focus your mind.
The winter solstice comes and goes each year, bringing with it the awareness of the coming spring. Though observed for different reasons by various people, it marks an important event on the calendar and can offer a chance for reflection and renewal.