Yule, the Winter Solstice is just around the corner.
The solstice is the rebirth of the Sun, the turning point as it marks the shortest day and longest night.
Pagans in the northern hemisphere surround themselves with loved ones and feast on this night, keeping the hearth fires burning bright, surrounded by decorations of evergreens to remind them of the coming season of growth and life.
There are various ways to celebrate Yule, here are a few of the things we do:
Something almost everyone already does is decorate the Christmas tree by December 21.
In the old pagan traditions, Yule trees were actually living outdoor trees that were decorated with hanging candles.
The candles and any added ornaments were meant to symbolize the sun, moon, and stars, as well as remembrances of loved ones that were lost.
Being the shortest day means the solstice is also the longest night of the year, and one of the original traditions was rooted in candlelight—both for the needed light, and to celebrate the return of the sun in the coming months.
This is as simple as lighting candles to symbolize the sun, being mindful of the sun and how much we depend upon it.
We will stay up all night on the night of the winter solstice to welcome back the light.
In ancient days, people stayed awake to make sure the sun was really coming back, while today, many people stay awake on the darkest night of the year to celebrate, hold reverence, and watch the light
Many people choose not to use electricity on the night of the solstice, and instead, enjoy the darkest night of the year by candlelight.
We also discuss the customs of the solstice as we sit in the candlelight.
Here’s an example...
Centuries ago, Native Americans aligned drawings with solstice sun
Native Americans drew more than a thousand glyphs in red pigment on rocks on a cliff.
Every winter solstice at noon, the sun strikes the center of one of these figures.
The solstice was important to the ancient people, so much so they created structures to mark the solstice and equinox with astonishing accuracy.
There are about 1,500 of these drawings, about a dozen of which had a solar interaction.
The red circular design painted on the cliff about 20 feet above the ground shows up exactly noon on the day of the winter solstice -- the shortest day of the year and the traditional beginning of the winter season -- there's a dagger of light hitting the exact center of the glyph as the sun shines through spaces between layers of broken limestone.
These are just a few thoughts and ideas, whatever you choose to do, have a wonderful Winter Solstice.
