From the Autumn Equinox the Sun descends further and further South, with the days beginning to shorten and the nights lengthen. However as we come to the Winter Solstice 21-23rd December the Sun pauses, holding its position where it appears to rise and set in the same spot for a few days.

Our ancestors who were attuned to the sun’s patterns knew of the importance of the Sun’s shifting position and created ceremonies and rituals to honour and mark this crucial astrological event. The Celts likened the astrological journey of the sun throughout the year to the turning of a metaphysical wheel, which we now speak of as the wheel of the year. They believed that the cosmic wheel stood still at the Winter Solstice, with superstitions developing that no wheel must be turned during these days of stillness. 

Much has been written about the potential origins of the celebrations during this pause on earth in relation to our own modern day festivities, with the similarities being the return of the Sun/Son, with fire and feasting being common themes. The ancient Romans celebrated the feast of Saturnalia from Dec17th for 7 days, where they exchanged presents especially popular was the gifting of candles, symbolsing light. Another Roman celebration centred around the celestial event is the feast of Mithras, the Sun God. The Romans adopted the worship of Mithra (a Son God born to a virgin, on the Winter Solstice, after his conception at the Spring Equinox) The Norwegian Norse men brought onto our shores there Yule (Jul to mean Wheel) festival, in which the Yule Log was brought into the home and burned for 12 nights at the Winter solstice. 

What of our own modern day winter celebrations and festivities?

Many cultures across the world hold celebrations, which mirror the core themes of fire, welcoming of the sun and feasting. World celebrations such as Shab-e Yalda (also known as Yalda Night) are celebrated in countries such as Iran, Afghanistan and Turkey to name a few. Whilst the Japanese celebrate the festival of Tōji, along with the Jewish festival of Hanuka and the Christian festival of the Nativity. 

What we can see is that the Winter Solstice is a clearly revered event that our ancestors and our modern selves are drawn to celebrate, even if the celebration has a different focus, the core themes remain. 

So what does this mean for us? As I sit here in northern England, preparing for my own festivities in a country in which they lean towards a Christian return of the Son (along with the much celebrated Santa Clause), I am aware of my own anticipation of a two week rest. However, culturally the weeks leading up to Christmas is often one of great preparation and business,which leads to a bypassing of the stillness of the solstice. 

Ancient traditions celebrated this stillness, eager to honour the darkness of winter, knowing that it is in the darkness that the earth and all her beings regenerates, in the cyclical nature of a turning wheel. Winter can seem desolate with an absence of activity in Nature, however we know that most of Nature is in its resting phase. Trees and plants enter into dormancy, as do some wild animals, conserving energy, moving all of their vital nutrients into their roots until the Earth shifts it’s axis and the Sun begins the journey North once more. 

Which brings us to us and how do we find purpose and meaning in a modern world at the WInter solstice. 

What can we learn from our ancestors and the other than human about holding space and honouring the celestial transition? 

Themes of rest, restorative practice, gratitude and rebirth exudes from past traditions and if you stay still for long enough, you may also hear them whispered to you from the Natural world.  

Social media is filled with posts rejoicing the returning Sun, xxx amount of days until the nights begin to get lighter, the posts exclaim. 

Yet we have space, a gift of planetary stillness that we are in danger of passing by in our contemporary hast to lighter days. 

I encourage you to step back from the pre-Christmas hustle and bustle and carve out some space in which you can connect to yourself, linger in your own darkness, what do you hear being whispered? Stay with the introspection, pondering the stillness and what it brings up for you. 

Remain for moments in awe at the heavenly manoeuvre that heralds today, as it has always, to ask how you are readying yourself for the birth of the Sun. 

How will I mark the Winter Solstice? 

I have spent this week contemplating my own annual cycle, what paths were too dark to navigate, where do they lead? 

On the day of the 21st I will watch the sunrise enter Newgrange, have my first cold water swim in over a year. That and as I’m fortunate enough to live near a Roman Mithraeum, I will make a trip and give the offering of citrus oranges symbolising the Sun to the Sun God. And finally I will join in the Village Christmas Carol service. 

If you are interested in exploring more about your own reflections  then I’ve created a free Winter Solstice pdf that you can download below, which will give you journal prompts and ideas for ceremonies and activities to celebrate. 

Merry Mid-Winter