It’s December 21st and today is the Winter Solstice. Now, if you’re new on your spiritual path, you’re probably wondering what a Winter Solstice is and why it matters. First, let’s take a step back and ask ourselves:
What is a Solstice?
A Solstice is an astronomical event when the sun is at its farthest point north or south of the equator. The word solstice comes from the Latin words sol (sun) and sistere (to stand still). This is because the sun’s movement appears to slow down or pause at the solstices before changing direction.
Every year, there are two solstices, Summer and Winter. The summer solstice (June 20th – 22nd) is when the Earth tilts towards the sun welcoming the summer season. The winter solstice (December 20th – 22nd) is the shortest amount of daylight in a year which mainly falls on December 21st.
Tradition for Thousands of Years
While the celebration of the Winter Solstice is traced back to the Neolithic period (New Stone Age), countless other traditions and cultures have celebrated the Winter Solstice.
The Ancient Romans would use this time to celebrate the God of the Sun. The Ancient Norsemen of Scandinavia celebrated Yule from the winter solstice through January. The Chinese celebration of the winter solstice, Dong Zhi (which means “Winter Arrives”) welcomes the return of longer days and an increase in positive energy in the year to come. Even the Incans would fast for three days before the solstice and on the day of solstice, they went to a ceremonial plaza and waited for the sunrise.
The point is this celebration of the turning of seasons is recognized and honored by multiple cultures and traditions. It’s a way to honor the planet that we are living on and honor the seasons of the earth. It’s a day to recognize the time that has gone by and the lessons we have learned from the year.
Here’s How To Celebrate The Winter Solstice
Whether you have long-standing traditions with the Winter Solstice or you are brand new to learning, here are a few ways you can incorporate this thousand-year tradition into your life with ease.
Rest: I know we’re always on the go, as we have things like work, family, and extra holiday duties. However the solstice is a reminder to rest, to be still in the present, and focus on renewal for next year. Use this time to stay indoors, cozy up on the coach with a warm blanket, drink some tea, and relax.
Build a fire: If you have a fireplace, today is the perfect time to use it. Fire symbolizes strength and during the winter months, fire is an important and vital tool to survive. Nowadays we all have heaters, but you can honor the use of fire by using your fireplace. If you don’t have one, you can light candles, or you can put a running fireplace video on your television or computer screen.
Cooking: Sure you could order in, but cooking a warm winter meal sounds amazing. Things like delicious stew, chili, or soup are great ideas to stay cozy and relaxed. Soups are usually the easiest thing to make.
Decorating: If you haven’t decorated your home yet, now is the perfect day. The idea of the evergreen tree being a part of the holiday traditions come from the Pagan celebration Yule to symbolize the perseverance of life through winter. So make sure you decorate your tree, put a wreath outside your front door, wrap some presents if you have the energy.
I woke up this morning and all I saw was snow, which made me smile. What perfect weather for the solstice! The Winter Solstice is about honoring our period of rest, relaxation, recovery, and staying present in the moment. So I will stay indoors, with my family, and enjoy a wonderful winter day.
Til next time,
Kimberly