The winter solstice is a magical time of the year that has been celebrated and revered by cultures all around the world for centuries. It marks the shortest day and the longest night of the year and holds significant cultural and spiritual significance. In many traditions, the winter solstice is seen as a time of renewal and rebirth. It is the turning point where the darkness begins to give way to the light, symbolizing hope and new beginnings. This is particularly evident in ancient celebrations such as the Roman festival of Saturnalia and the Norse celebration of Yule, where fires were lit and feasts were held to welcome the return of the sun. One of the most well-known observances of the winter solstice is the festival of Christmas.
People come together at special sites such as Newgrange in Ireland and Stonehenge in England to mark the day each year
In Finnish mythology, it s told that Louhi, the witch goddess of the North, kidnapped the Sun and Moon and held them captive inside a mountain, causing the darkness of winter. The winter solstice also marks the astronomical beginning of winter, at 10 19 PM exactly, when Earth s North Pole is tilted farthest away from the sun, though here in Minnesota, we might feel winter started much earlier.
One of the most well-known observances of the winter solstice is the festival of Christmas. Though it has roots in Christian traditions, many of its customs and symbols can be traced back to pre-Christian winter solstice celebrations. The use of evergreen trees, wreaths, and holly, as well as the tradition of giving gifts, all have their origins in ancient solstice rituals.
What Is Winter Solstice, And How Can We Celebrate?
Throughout history, societies across the world have held festivals and ceremonies marking winter solstice, the day of the “sun’s rebirth.” Most often, winter solstice celebrations honored the symbolism of fire and light, along with life, death, the rising sun, and the moon. Saturnalia, for example, was an ancient Roman pagan festival dedicated to honoring the sun god Saturn through offerings and gift-giving. Another tradition that we still hear about today is Yule (or Yuletide). Similarly, Indigenous people continue to mark the solstice with storytelling and ceremony.
But what is a solstice, exactly? Let’s explore the science.
“ Winter solstice celebrations honored the symbolism of fire and light, along with life, death, the rising sun, and the moon. ”
The earth’s tilted axis (23.5º relative to the ecliptic plane) directly impacts the amount of sunlight we do or don’t get throughout the year. This tilt, along with our planet’s orbit, creates both astronomical and meteorological seasons. According to the National Centers for Environmental Information, “…astronomical seasons are based on the position of Earth in relation to the sun, whereas the meteorological seasons are based on the annual temperature cycle.”
When following the astronomical seasons, there are two solstices and two equinoxes to mark the change in meteorological seasons. The winter solstice happens between December 20 and 23, and it’s when the earth’s axis tilts away from the sun, making it the shortest day and longest night of the year for those living in the Northern Hemisphere. In the Southern Hemisphere, it’s reversed. (The word “solstice” derives from the Latin word sōlstitium and translates to “sun stands still.” ) This year, the winter solstice will happen on December 21.
There’s not an exact recorded time when humans first started observing the solstice, but monuments like Chichén Itzá, Stonehenge, and the Goseck circle indicate that people have been honoring the astronomical seasons for years.
Today, the winter solstice is a reminder to honor our connection to the natural world. It is a way we can celebrate the change in seasons without traditional holidays, gifts, or decorations. Instead, we can honor winter through rituals and self-care, looking specifically to our ancestors and heritage for inspiration rather than co-opting from others (a form of cultural appropriation).
“ Today, the winter solstice is a reminder to honor our connection to the natural world. ”
Here are a few ideas:
- Consider practicing a pagan yule candle tradition (a tradition with European roots). Create an altar with items that bring you joy and peace, and surround it with candles. Light the candles as a symbol of the sun’s ability to give us both life and light.
- Wake up early on the day of the winter solstice to watch the sunrise. Close your eyes, feel the sun’s warmth on your face. Observe how the sun lights up the world around you. Bring a journal and write down any thoughts that come to mind.
- Create a traditional winter feast with warming foods to eat the night of December 21. Have fun creating a meal that warms and nourishes the body.
- Draw a winter solstice bath, adding citrus essential oils to symbolize the energy of the sun.
- Create something handmade that honors the sun or the natural world, such as a wreath from what you have around your house or backyard. Paint or draw the sun. Grab an instrument you haven’t played in a long time and write a song; then share it with loved ones.
“ Wake up early on the day of the winter solstice to watch the sunrise […] Write down any thoughts that come to mind. ”
However, you chose to bring rituals and new traditions into your life, make time to appreciate the natural world. Wherever you are, embrace how the air and the sky change, and on the coldest days, know the sun is right around the corner.
Courtney Jay is a writer at The Good Trade. She is also a yoga instructor, health enthusiast, and sustainable fashion advocate. You can find more of her writing and take one of her online yoga classes on her website Coincide.
Other cultures have their own unique ways of celebrating the winter solstice. In China, the Dongzhi Festival is celebrated with family gatherings and the eating of tangyuan, a type of glutinous rice ball. In Iran, the solstice is celebrated with the festival of Yalda night, where families gather to eat, recite poetry, and stay up all night until the sunrise. Overall, the magical winter solstice observances are a time to come together, celebrate the changing of the seasons, and honor the cycles of nature. It is a reminder of the power of light and the promise of new beginnings. Whether through feasting, gift-giving, or other rituals, these observances continue to bring joy and meaning to the lives of people around the world..
Reviews for "Winter Solstice in Nature: Observing the Changing Landscapes and Wildlife"
1. John - 1 out of 5 stars - I was highly disappointed with the Magical winter solstice observances. The event was hyped up to be a grand spectacle, but it turned out to be nothing more than a small gathering with lackluster performances. The organizers promised magical displays and enchanting music, but all I got was a mediocre light show and a few amateur singers. I expected so much more from this event and unfortunately, it fell short of my expectations.
2. Sarah - 2 out of 5 stars - The Magical winter solstice observances were underwhelming to say the least. The decorations were poorly done and didn't create the magical atmosphere that was promised. The event seemed unorganized and there were long periods of time where nothing was happening. The performances were average at best and left me feeling bored. Overall, I wouldn't recommend attending this event if you're looking for an enchanting winter celebration.
3. Michael - 1 out of 5 stars - I attended the Magical winter solstice observances with high hopes, but was left extremely disappointed. The event lacked any sort of magical or enchanting elements. The decorations were minimal and didn't create a festive ambiance. The performances were lackluster and didn't hold my attention. It felt like a poorly planned and executed event. Save your time and money and find a better winter celebration to attend.