The winter solstice is the time at which the sun is at its southernmost point in the sky, appearing at noon at its lowest altitude above the horizon. The winter solstice usually occurs on December 21 to 22 each year in the Northern Hemisphere, and June 20 to 21 in the Southern Hemisphere. The axial tilt of Earth and gyroscopic effects of the planet's daily rotation keep the axis of rotation pointed at the same point in the sky. As the Earth follows its orbit around the Sun, the same hemisphere that faced away from the Sun, experiencing winter, will, in half a year, face towards the Sun and experience summer. Since the two hemispheres face opposite directions along the planetary pole, as one polar hemisphere experiences winter, the other experiences summer.
More evident from high latitudes, a hemisphere's winter solstice occurs on the shortest day and longest night of the year, when the sun's daily maximum elevation in the sky is the lowest. Since the winter solstice lasts only a moment in time, other terms are often used for the day on which it occurs, such as "midwinter", "the longest night", "the shortest day" or ""the first day of winter".
Celebrate the rebirth of the sun, it is the winter solstice, the longest night of the year.
The symbolism of the winter solstice ceremony is ancient and deep. This is a moment of time, the turning between the year’s darkness and its new light – the time of nadir and rebirth. It marks beginning and completion. The seed of light is born in the dark womb of midwinter.
It is time of the longest night, when Earth’s very breath seems to falter in the face of the overpowering dark. Then barely noticeable at first, the sun begins it’s long journey towards the opposite pole, and all of creation begins to exhale. A cycle of new life can begin once again.
The return of the sun is the promise of continuation of life on Earth. It is time of the energetic reawakening – symbolically and literally – in our lives.
The dark side of the year starts to recede, and the light half of the year is reborn.
When the sun god is reborn we too experience rebirth. So many legends and myths bring us this celestial truths to remind us of our connection to the Earths natural cycles, and how they are played out within our bodies, minds and souls.
For us today, the winter still has profound impact on us. We too can feel unfit, chilly and less than motivated… imagine how must felt for our ancestors – the hunger, the darkness, lack of outdoor time and wondering wether the sun god would come back to the tribe.
Solstice night came an outpouring of people’s darkest fears and simultaneously an outpouring of gratitude for the sun’s return and the understanding the we are indeed divinely cared for.
For the 21st century the winter solstice is still absolutely a time of renewal of the flow of energy.
Think of how you feel at this time – blankets are your best friends, cozy and snug and maybe a little lazy, as if special projects, dreams and wishes belong on the back burner, you may still holding on to relationships that need to be let go of, and sometimes you may find your material resources are stretched thin.
You find it difficult to motivate yourself or you think dark thoughts at this time, you may be feeling deep crone energy and her influence on the winter dark.
Don’t despair soon the energy of solstice will bring a lightening to your spirit and your energy as the sun god and the maiden awaken across the land – and within you.
As above, so below.
The energy within has its cycle without, and you are connected to these cycles.
From the first sunrise following solstice night you’ll feel a shift.
Gradually and naturaly you will feel your energy start to flow anew, you’ll begin to feel refreshed and re-energized and ready to take on the world.
It can be a challenge to celebrate Yule in the midst of the feast of materialism that Christmas has become for many people… but in fact the roots of Christmas are in fact Yule.
We should simply focus our attention in the rebirth of the sun, and of al that is new in our lives, and farwell with respect the wisdom of the crone, then we’ll have a ceremony that speaks to our hearts.
Rize early and gaze at the early morning rays, because they’re going to be lengthening from now on. Turn your face to the sun and welcome the new life it brings. Be prepared for changes after solstice time!
Old habits, jobs, partners have a way of disappearing – reasonably painlessly, as it’s the natural order of things – after this time.
However if you are in the right place and with the right person, you will bloom and grow.
It’s all about moving into the most fertile patch possible, so you will really grow over the coming months.
The seasonal significance of the winter solstice is in the reversal of the gradual lengthening of nights and shortening of days, it helds a recognition of rebirth, involving holidays, festivals, gatherings, rituals or other celebrations around the time. As climate, the sun and astronomical events has the power to control the mating of animals, sowing of crops and metering of winter reserves between harvests.
The festival may also be called Alban Arthan. Alban comes from the early Briton (Britain) word, which means “bright”. The later corruption Arthuan refers to the British hero king, Arthur.
To some (especially female) the darkness of winter is thought of as a nourishing womb. The sun is seen as an immortal spirit inspiring conception new growth and rebirth.
Traditionally ceremonies are held within a sanctuary of stones or wood or simply energy; where peace has been affirmed, and into which spirit presences plus, with which the Grove has normally its works invited.
The heart of the ceremony is the cessation of mourning for the death of the light. The year, which was ended by the onset of winter, is left behind and the infant light begins to emerge.
Folk customs may be incorporated into a ceremony or practiced around the fire or the feast afterwards.
The burning of a winter oak log symbolizes the spirit of the hearth fires that warm the community. Mistletoe may be distributed carrying with it, its properties of healing, fertility and presence. Boughs of evergreen, which decorate the house, hold the spirit of life through the dark months. Presents, which express the energy of our spirit are given to friends and loved ones affirming the bands of love and community.
This celebration is often held close to or, at home. It is a time for sharing, and feasting with our closed friends and family.
In Newgrange, County Meath, there is an ancient tomb covered with beautiful artwork, which remains in darkness for much of the year. The double spiral on this site is one of the symbols which can be seen at the Newgrange site. Once a year, on the Winter Solstice, the tomb fills with light to reveal the beautiful artwork on the walls. While it seems best to leave its origins to the historians, there is no doubt that the ancient Irish considered this day important.
It also marked "The Shortest Day" or "The Darkest Midnight" and was cause for celebration, since - once the shortest day has passed, it meant the journey toward Spring could begin.
The customs that are associated with modern day Christian Christmas as decorating the tree, the act of hanging mistletoe and holly, burn think of Christmas, are beautiful pagan customs that date back to pre-Christian era. (Christmas, which happens a few days after the winter solstice and celebrates the spiritual birth of Jesus Christ really is the Christianized version of the ancient pagan festival of the Christmas season.)
Some traditions of the midwinter include,
Going Door to Door
While the tradition of "caroling" and going door to door to sing for ones neighbors is only done during the Holiday Season in recent years. In times gone by, it was common to carol from door to door for many of the major festivals. It is thought that certain tunes were found particularly useful for this tradition.
A dance entitled "The Horn Dance" was performed from All Souls to the Twelfth Night in hopes of bringing in the luck for the New Year! In many of the Celtic cultures, the tradition of going door to door and caroling or the idea of procession was common. All Souls Night or Samhain (sow- an) has come down to us as Halloween, when going door to door is still part of our culture.
"The Horn Dance" comes from Abbots Bromley in Staffordshire. Eight men danced through the village with antler horns on their heads in order to "bring in the luck" for the New Year. The tradition still continues in Abbots Bromley. This dance is thought to have its origins in Pre-Christian Fertility Rites.
The Kylemore Carols
The Kylemore carols are a beautiful collection of Christmas carols from the village of Kylemore. In the depths of harsh winter, a reminder of sacred celebration invests these haunting old melodies, many of which are sung to this day in Kylemore and elsewhere.
Little Christmas
Traditionally Yule ended on January 6th. The Christian Calendar celebrates "Little Christmas" on January 6th also. This was the day that the decorations were taken down and yet another turkey was cooked to mark the end of the season.
December and the Sun Gods
December marks the celebration of many solar "saviors" and Gods, usually on December 25th. Many of them have the word "Light" in their titles. They include, Baal, Dionysus and of course, Jesus Christ.
The Mummers
While the origin of the mummers remains unclear, they were still a vital part of Irish tradition up to the present century. The "Straw Boys" or "Mummers" dressed in disguise, often using straw to cover their faces, and went from door to door. They usually requested and received food or money or some token of gratitude for their "performance." This tradition was particularly strong in the North of Ireland. County Armagh has long been associated with mummers.
Hunting the Wren
The tradition of Hunting the Wren was originally associated with pagan ritual. Historically, a wren was captured and was though to bring luck for the new year. In modern times, the tradition of "hunting the wren" involves musicians who go from gathering to gathering playing music on "St. Steven's Day" (December 26th), and "passing the hat."
Yule & the Yule Log
Yule marks the rebirth of the suns power. It is yet another symbol of death and rebirth - going from the darkness into the light. For many, Yule runs from before the Solstice until New Year's Day. Many people associate Yule with the "Yule Log," a piece of wood decorated with evergreens, mostly holly and candles. Holly was another ancient symbol for the Irish; it was thought to hold special properties, since it was "neither tree 'nor bush".
Yule
Yule iss a midwinter (winter solstice) festival celebrated by the Germanic peoples, absorbed into celebrations surrounding Christmas over time with Christianization. The earliest references to it are in the form of month names, where the Yule-tide period lasts somewhere around two months in length, falling along the end of the modern calendar year between what is now mid-November and early January. It's a celebration of Northern Europe that exists of this pre-Christian times. The Germanic pagans celebrated Yule from late December until the first day of January, covering the Winter Solstice.
Yule begins on day 20, mother's night, dedicated to Frigg and ends on the twelfth night that would be July 2, of course there are differences of opinions in which the Yule lasts 09 days and must begin on June 23 option is that I do not particularly follow the styling as the Yule solstice, but as a celebration of 'main' during the solstice and the March solstice being 22 days.
It was the first seasonal festival celebrated by Neolithic tribes of northern Europe, and is still considered the beginning of the Wheel of the Year by many Pagan traditions. Today is one of the eight solar holidays or Sabbats of Neopaganism. In modern Neopaganism, Yule is celebrated on the Winter Solstice, around December 21 in the northern hemisphere and around day 21 June in the South
In modern Germanic language-speaking areas and some other Northern European countries, the etymological cognates to Yule are employed for the Christmas. Various traditions are present in these branches, some of which extended from the pre-Christian period. Examples include Jul (Sweden), Jul (Denmark), Jul (Norway) , Jól (Iceland), Joulu (Finland), and Jõulud (Estonia). Additionally, Yule is the traditional name used for Christmas in Scotland in the Scots Language.
Besides these explanations, there is other reports on ancient Scandinavia, where the Yule begins with the death of Baldr, death engineered by Loki, Baldr is killed by his blind brother Höðr that would have used a mistletoe, there are theories as it was a plant, or would be a weapon called mistletoe. The darkest night of the year marks the death of God and the third day after the death of Baldr after his mother Frigg have cried for three days and three nights for the death of the Son pleading for his return would have been the mistletoe white and red Baldr would risen from this story that we know the home today. The home would be a pagan festival is celebrated as a Christian feast besides the fact that suggests that Christianity stole this part of Odinist belief and transformed Baldr in his call Jesus. Another curious fact is that the "Santa Claus" could be a image stolen from of Odin, as in the former German land was the custom for children to leave the window a boot full of sugar to Sleipinir it is when Odin passes over Midgard on horseback toward the land of the dead Niflhel the search of his son Baldr as described in the Poetic Edda the Baldrs Draumar.
As forms of Neopaganism can be quite different and have very different origins, these representations can vary considerably despite the shared name. Some celebrate in a way as close as possible to how they believe Ancient Germanic pagans observed the tradition, while others observe the holiday with rituals culled from numerous other unrelated sources including Germanic.
In Germanic Neopagan sects, Yule is celebrated with gatherings that often involve a meal and gift giving. Further attempts at reconstruction of surviving accounts of historical celebrations are often made, a hallmark being variations of the traditional. Groups such as the Asatru Folk Assembly in the US recognize the celebration as lasting 12 days, beginning on the date of the winter solstice.
In most forms of Wicca, this holiday is celebrated at the winter solstice as the rebirth of the Great horned hunter god, who is viewed as the newborn solstice sun. The method of gathering for this sabbat varies by practitioner. Some have private ceremonies at home, while others do so with their covens.
"To attune with this special energy of the time:
- On the longest night, turn out all the lights in your house and spend some time feeling thr darkness. Then light a single candle, and take it around your house from room to room, relighting candles in each room;
- Go to bed with a seed catalogue;
- Decorate your altar with mistletoe;
- Drink mead in celebration of the rebirth of the year. Treat this time as the ending of the year, and look forward to the year that is beginning by daydreaming, then planning your coming year;
- Travel by tube (underground train); eat the fruit cake/fruit gin you made at Alban Elfed; plant garlic; visit a cemetery; see where the sun enters or leaves your house/flat;
- Take two advent candles. Cut a few days off one. Light it on the solstice. Start lighting the second one around 12th night. That will last you till Imbolc!
- Dance or movement meditation: Start lying flat on your back. Slowly wake up, get up, and begin moving to some joyous music.
- Ring bells to greet the solstice morning;
- String popcorns and cranberries and hang them on an outdoor tree for the birds;
- Donate food and clothing to others;
- Decorate the Solstice, or Yule, tree;
- Hang little bells on yule tree to call spirits and fairies;
- Volunteer at a Homeless or Animal Shelter;
- Smile J It is free, and it is the best gift of all.
For kids:
- Light candles;
- Read stories with Christmas/Yule theme. (for ex.: Meagan and the Winter Solstice by Kat Dyer) ;
- Talk about the history of Yule with your children;
- Let your child be your guide. Don’t just start offering them a lot of information that they may or may not need to know. If they ask questions, give them simple, but honest answers.
Deities:
Odin
Frigga
Freya
Skahdi
Cernunnos
Isis
Demeter
Dagda
Brigit
The Oak King
Sacred Animals:
Robin
Wren
Boar
Magical Stones:
Ruby
Bloodstone
Carnelian
Citrine
Garnet
Plants:
Ash
Yew
Laurel
Birch
Silver fir
Cranberries
Pine tree
Cedar
Nuts
Herbs:
Bayberry
Thistle
Holly
Mistletoe
Sage"
© Ana Lopes 2010; Yule, http://returnofavalon.blogspot.com
The traditional food of the pagan Winter Solstice Sabbat are the roast turkey, nuts, fruit cakes, round cakes of caraway, eggnog and mulled wine.
Incense: laurel, cedar, pine and rosemary.
Candle colors: gold, green, red, white.
Sacred gemstones: cat's-eye and ruby.
Traditional ritual herbs: bay leaves, fruit of the laurel, holy thistle, cedar, chamomile, evergreen, frankincense holly, juniper, mistletoe, moss, oak, pine, rosemary and sage.
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