The 21st December is known as the winter solstice. This is the shortest day of the year in the northern hemisphere as the sun rises late in the morning and sets early in the evening. This day officially marks the start of the winter season. The word solstice means ‘sun stands still’ - the winter solstice is when the sun, rests before its rebirth/new orbit.
SYMBOLISM
If you follow the course of nature, then you too will find that you tend to go within more as the darker (colder) seasons ensue. Some will find themselves wanting to isolate more and spend time at home or with family, others may feel inclined to do some inner work, others may experience depression or a dark night of the soul..
After the winter solstice, each day until the summer solstice will bring us more and more light as the sun begins its journey again. We too, can be still on the equinox and rest to prepare ourselves for the next phase of abundance!
HISTORY
The celebration of the winter solstice is an ancient tradition which has been practiced by different religious groups in different locations of the world for many years, such as Saturnalia, Dong Zhi, Yaldā, & Soyal, however, it’s roots lie in pagan traditions.
The most popular, the Pagans, also known as the early Christian’s, who worshipped nature, and viewed the winter solstice as the rebirth of the Sun. Over the years the tradition grew and many pagans celebrated the winter solstice with what was known as Yuletide festivities as the “sun was being reborn” so they would celebrate in honour of Yule the Scandinavian fertility god. Different groups would celebrate this time differently. Later, it is said, that once the neopagan religion had came about, the church felt threatened by the amount of people that were turning to modern-paganism/witchcraft and tried to ban the Yuletide celebrations but by then, far too many people were taking part in Yule. So the church, in a bid to draw people back to Christianity created the holiday “Christmas”.
CHRISTMAS
So the church basically took different symbolisms from each of the already existing winter solstice traditions, such as;
•Wreaths & Decking the halls with holly from Wicca
•Decorating a tree from Saturnalia
•Gift swapping from Thor, Odin or St. Nicholas (who is originally a pagan character)
•The idea of (reindeer) hooves on your rooftop from the 8 legged horse Sleipnir,
•The birth of the Son Jesus Christ from Mithras or The (aCtUaL) Sun
•Gingerbread
Candles
Bells
Mistltoe
Yulelog
Red, White & Green
& Carolling from the Yule festivities
WHAT TO DO ON THE WINTER SOLSTICE
Rest!
Use this time to just relax, and reflect on what this year has brought you, in terms of lessons, wins and inspiration.
Have a spiritual bath
Self care is a must!
Journal
Meditate
Sound bowl healing
Visualise your future
Candle Magic
Spend time with your ancestors
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