Winter Solstice; Give Back

Fire.  Candlelight. Honour. Give the Ashes Back to the Earth. 

After the fire~ scattering ashes as fertilizer

The shortest day of sunlight,  called the Winter Solstice is an astronomical phenomenon that occurs every year. 

The apposing hemispheres experience the Earth’s tilt at the same time, that is to say, that while the Northern Hemisphere is at it’s shortest daylight producing capacity, the Southern Hemisphere is at its longest - and vice versa.  

Solstice, derived from Latin, means “Sun standing Still” and that connotation, has prehistoric attachments to ancient monuments like Stonehenge.  Archaeologists have discovered that its alignment creates a perfect sight line at the time of the winter solstice sunset (in one particular direction) and then it reverses and aligns perfectly (in a different direction) during the Summer Solstice. 

These Solstices shift slightly in date and time. 

I recognize the Solstice as an Earth Cherishing date that we should adapt into a more Celebratory ~ Green Awakening Observance.

Because Man is a creature of habit and ritual, many customary tasks, were historically done to coincide with such environmental shifts, till eventually,  Winter Holidays - were created.  The Feast of Juul, is the pre Christian Scandinavian Festival that eventually evolved into Christmas.  People set fire to Juul or Yule logs to symbolize the heat and light of the returning sun. 

During these age old Solstice Customs, a whole tree was brought into the house and the log was burned till nothing but ash remained.  The ashes were then collected and either strewn on the fields as a fertilizer or kept as a symbolic & magical medicine. Our ancient ancestors celebrated the restoration of the earth and I think we ought to do more pro active, 

replenishing customs

Sun recognition rituals are as important as all the other light worshipping practices that make up December’s blended Holiday Cheer. 

The ceremonial use of lights, exists in many religions; Kwanzaa symbolically recognizes historic struggles & hope, Hanukkah honours a re established foot hold of power after assertion and Christmas is the date chosen to celebrate the birth of a great Spiritual Prophet. All coincide around the original pagan practice of acknowledging the shift in seasonal year, or rather - The universal light that we call the sun. 

During Winter Solstice, I plan to recognize the Earth’s courageous journey and will try to give something back, even if I can only do it symbolically. 

Mom shapes Christmas Tradition

It’s the end of the year, it’s cold and the grand finale is being planned and executed.  

I’m the "Mom the Matriarch" and there’s a certain awe in that revelation.  My Children are now young adults.  My own birth Mother and Mother in law do not - will not - have not been the Matriarch for the Holiday season in decades and my Partner and I, have realized that we are and always have been, the ones our offspring look upon to shape our family’s Christmas tradition. 

I didn’t always realize I was the catalyst of how our rituals, customs and holiday celebrations play out. I’ve written before about the Winter Solstice.  I truly respect the evolution of astrological and environmental changes this pivotal time brings.  I have also shared how my family has come to know Christmas. It’s about scholarly debate; traditional & commercial rituals.  

When our children were little, everything revolved around Santa, that great Spirit (I explained) who like a ghost, came into our lives to bestow gifts upon them, because he represented love and cherishing.  We invited extended members of the family that we barely saw through out the year - because it was tradition. I did that for the children… so they would know grandparents, aunts or uncles.

Santa "Ghosts" the Spirit of being Loved & Cherished

Over the years we established routine and modified it a few times, because our family dynamic -like everyone else’s - was subject to change.  What remains today for us, is celebration and commercialized gift giving on Christmas Eve and feasting on Christmas Day. Even the birds are fed special on Christmas Day.  I hope my Children have noticed that.  Some of my Partner’s French Canadian customs are honoured and some of my Finnish roots are - subtly played out throughout the season and I believe there is now a comfortable traditional compromise that pleases us all.

What Christmas has come to be, for us... is

when we spoil our children with gifts,  drink more wine than usual and put great emphasis on the traditional meal that we share. 

A bit about Winter Solstice

Winter Solstice evergreens 

Winter Solstice is when the sun’s elevation is at it’s lowest - it marks the beginning of the shortening of nights and the lengthening of days.  Its the shortest day of the year.   Age old communities revered this date in preparation for the famine months. Celtic and pagan tribes embraced this astronomical phenomena with cultural and seasonal celebration.

Usually between December 21st and 22nd, historical observances have lead way to christianity’s christmas culture; the tree, the yule, the lights, holly and mistletoe.

But what has the Winter Solstice become?    Many festivities are planned for community gatherings such as group meditations, and “intention ceremonies”.  Some people gather to watch the sunset, symbolically bonding as one.   Some silently light their homes with only candles and modestly decorate with nature based boughs and evergreen arrangements, and of course, many simply do nothing.

Solstice celebrations don’t need to be complicated, or overly serious. It can be a wonderful time to select for reflection, quiet thought and gratitude.  Think of it as a day (or night) as preparation for the commercial festivities or a time to solidify your disposition for the upcoming assault of winter.  

 

Christmas; scholarly debate, traditional & commercial ritual

For millions, Christmas is a religious experience.  Jesus Christ is commemorated.  His birth or his conception.  For those of olde order, the winter solstice marked a perfect time to bring some celebration to people before the deep sleep of winter, sets in. 

Evidence shows that the two merged in tradition and ritual.  The yule log, the pine tree lit with candles, the feasting, the festivities.  Life, death, family connections and then Santa Claus or St Nick - got thrown into the mix. 

Christmas today is 90% commercial.  I personally know very few Christians who are still practicing.  I am neutral to this, for I myself had been risen Christian.  I went to Catholic school and Mennonite Sunday School.   These beliefs are just childhood memories now. 

I honour Jesus as much as I do Buddah and all the other prophets.  As a tale. 

Yes, I believe in a Godly Spirit.  What name I give it, is not important.  

What Christmas has become, is the pulling together of members of a tribe.  Some choose their family, but if families don’t work, some choose the ones who they care for.

Blood or marriage do not automatically make you family.  Love does. 

My Own Kids, love holiday travel. 

The gifts are an expression of this love, because people need to validate their love.

When money is tight, we feel guilt because we cannot bestow our presents, this is wrong because a simple gesture, alone should do. Or so we think.

I didn’t care for Christmas when I was a child because it was often a time of trouble.  As a young woman, I was often alone.  But as a Mother, I learned to see the magic through the eyes of my children and the satisfaction I get bestowing my love upon them, spoiling them, because I love them so. 

With Santa, emphasis is placed on the children and quite honestly, many people gather to make the day special for them.  I know we did.  As children get older and become young adults, you really see that Christmas is just about the gifts.  The religion has faded, it isn’t solemn with grace - its a great party time with shopping and good food.  It is what it is, what it has become.  I think I’m Ok with that!