The Winter Solstice falls on Wednesday, December 21st this year, and it is often a big celebration in countries around the world. It marks the day with the shortest amount of daylight and longest amount of darkness. Some of us dread this day, noting it as the shortest, dreariest, and darkest day. However, many people take this day to celebrate the return of the sun, the day that the sun starts making its way back (to our) HOME.
Here are some ways that other countries celebrate from around the world:
- Since ancient times, Iran has called their winter solstice celebration Yalda, and they celebrate victory over darkness and the 'birthday' of the Sun God, named Mithra.
- St Lucia's Day in Scandinavian countries, also called the Festival of Lights incorporates the winter solstice. You'll often see young girls dressing up in white dresses wearing a wreath-like crown with candles on their heads. There are lots of gingersnaps, saffron buns and bonfires. Scandinavian countries are well-known for their liberal burning of candles throughout the winter and the winter solstice is the perfect time to light even more!
-In Japan, the focus of the solstice is health and luck in the coming year and is a time to reflect on the abundance of the harvest. They show gratitude for the return of the sun, the longer days, and its role in the growth of their crops. They can be seen lighting bonfires and consuming kabocha squash, as it is said to bring good luck.
I've compiled some fun resources for you to create your own Winter Solstice Ceremony at home to welcome the sun back into our lives, and hopefully sooner rather than later! Let's get that pesky groundhog on board with welcoming the sun, too!
Here are some ideas for items to gather for your ceremony:
- warm, soft blankets
- cozy loungewear or pajamas
- candles or flameless candles (as many as you can find)
- string lights
- golden milk latte, lemon water, orange juice, hot chocolate
- oranges, pineapple, pomegranate
- large pillow to sit on
- flowers
- small twigs, leaves or nature bits if you want to incorporate them into an alter of sorts
-wear a festive gown or outfit if you'd like!
Ideally you want to wait until it gets dark on the night of the solstice. Create your space- arrange the items you have gathered into a comfortable space for you. You may want to have one candle or light that will represent the sun. This page has some words to read as you light the candles or string lights and reflect on the meaning of the return of the sun has for you.
As you look at your candles or lights, think about the life-giving properties of the sun and the warmth it provides. Without the sun, the earth would give way into a cold, lifeless, arctic wasteland! It gives life to all things, grows our food, crops, and ecosystems. It soothes us, warms us, and gives us light to see the beauty that this world offers us each day. By lighting your candles or string lights, and holding your own Winter Solstice Ceremony, you are showing your gratitude for the life that the sun offers us all daily and welcoming it back home for the coming seasons.
Gazing into some candlelight can be pretty mystical too. Some people around the world stay up all night on the night of the winter solstice to welcome the sunrise. Feel free to create your own wild sun dance to welcome the sun home!
Alternatively, if you are a morning person, you can wake up extra early on the morning after Winter Solstice to arrange your space and celebrate the sun's return at sunrise! Remember, there is no right or wrong way to welcome someone home as long as it is done with intention, sincerity, warmth, and light.
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