Winter Solstice is an important, ancient holy day marking the darkest time and longest night of the year on or around December 21st. The return of the light is often celebrated during this time, as the the days will begin to lengthen from this moment on. This blog post provides an overview of Winter Solstice & ways to celebrate with friends and family or in solitude.
In this blog post you will find:
Introduction
Dear one, can you hear it? The quiet stillness in the dead of night? Life at rest and the sound of silence during this time of hibernation away from the cold clutch of winter's grasp?
December is finally upon us which means that we have officially entered into the womb of the year. I love this image of the womb because when viewed from the stages of the life cycle it correlates to a gestational time where life takes form internally (within the darkness).
In the dark silence and stillness of Winter, all of life returns to the roots. Many animals have migrated to warmer climates or have shifted underground into a period of hibernation. Food sources are scarce and the abundance of Autumn has been stored away. Energy must now be reserved since that which is superfluous is stripped away. For this reason, Winter is a time of rest as opposed to energetic activity.
This is in stark contrast to the hustle and bustle of today's consumer oriented holiday season we are all too familiar with. For many, this is a time of increased stress and activity as the pressure to show up a certain way grows and our tendencies to over-indulge and over do it lead to fatigue and burn out. I wrote a reflection piece on this theme if you want to go deeper.
"December is a holy month. Maybe it is the dark, silky silence that descends so early that speaks to me of reverence.
Maybe it is the promise that December holds -- that no matter how dark, how cold, how empty it can get, the light is coming back.
Something always shifts in me when December arrives -- I embrace the darkness, and am eager for the coming solstice when the whole world is still and holds its breath, waiting to be reborn again."
- Meg Casey
What is Winter Solstice?
Winter Solstice is the time of year when light is born out of the womb of winter's darkness. Every year, on or near December 21st when the Sun's journey through the zodiac shifts from Sagittarius to Capricorn, the Sun appears to stand still, or rise and set in the same place for a few days. This moment marks the longest night, when Earth's very breath seems to falter in the face of the overpowering dark. Then, almost imperceptibly, the Sun begins its long journey toward the south again, and all of creation begins to exhale after a period of building anticipation.
The time leading up to Winter Solstice is considered a very powerful and holy time of the year. It's a time of waiting and expectancy for the return of the Sun's light. For Christians, this is the season of Advent, derived from the Latin term adventus which means "coming" or "arrival." This period encompasses the four Sundays leading up to Christmas which is often honored with fasting and purification rituals.
Like many aspects of Christianity, this observance hails from much older traditional practices. The exact nature of early pan-Celtic celebrations across the British Isles are not known because in the fourth century C.E. the Church of Rome overlaid the old festival of the birth of the Sun with the birth of the Son (Christ). Our friend Craig over at @practical.animist shares that...
"Many European cultures observed the moon cycle leading up to the winter solstice as a time of preparation, anticipation, and drawing near to loved ones. It involved the twin themes of celebration and faith: celebration over the harvested fruits of the land and slaughtered animals, and faith that their stores would be replenished in the coming season. Renewal was only possible with the rebirth of the sun, so this season of anticipation culminated with the great celebration of the winter solstice."
Whether you consider yourself religious or not, the weeks in December truly are a time of "advent" for all of us. The light is coming, and together with all of creation we wait for that coming. When we arrive at Winter Solstice, the seed of light is tightly folded within the bud of darkness. From now on, as the days lengthen, the sun-seed will slowly begin to unfurl from its center through the Spring days of Imbolc and Bealtaine, to its full flowering at Summer Solstice. At this point it will reach the outermost ring of the year's spiral and begin to contract slowly back toward the center once again.
Rituals for welcoming back the Sun date back from the dawn of civilization, as communities came together to celebrate life with feasting, music, dance, drama, and above all, light and fire. Today under modern capitalism we tend to think of Christmas as a single day or weekend event, enjoying outward celebrations and festivities leading up to the big day on December 25th. In many cultural traditions across the British Isles people used to reserve the time leading up to the Winter Solstice for contemplative ceremony which was only then followed by twelve days of celebration after the rebirth of the Sun.
Nature's Arc of Change
Winter Solstice is a quarter day in Nature's Arc of Change, marking the darkest and longest night of the year. This alignment happens when the Sun enters Capricorn at 0°.
Nature's Arc of Change is a calendar we created combining pre-christian, Indo-European, Taoist and Astrological tracking methods to illustrate cyclical time expressed through thresholds of change found in nature.
Under industrial growth society, we follow the concept of linear time, however in the past, when we lived in close relationship to nature, time was perceived as cyclical. Indigenous cultures from around the world recognize that we are embedded within and informed by cosmic-earth cycles, what we call Nature’s Arc of Change.Â
It's important to note that Indigenous and folk cultures from around the world share very similar earth-based, cyclical orientations to time that are shaped and informed by their own unique bioregional cosmologies. Please bear in mind the obvious limitations of this particular map (which is applicable to only certain regions). This template is adapted for the northern hemisphere. Take this illustrative map as a starting point and adapt it to where you are by paying attention to the subtle changes you observe in the natural world over the course of the seasons.
Nature's Arc of Change is divided into eight equal sections, demarcated by the following seasonal thresholds:
Quarter Days
Winter Solstice: Dec. 20-21 | 0° of Capricorn (Cardinal Cross)
Spring Equinox: Mar. 19-21 | 0° of Aries (Cardinal Cross)
Summer Solstice: Jun. 20-21 | 0° of Cancer (Cardinal Cross)
Fall Equinox: Sep. 21-23 | 0° of Libra (Cardinal Cross)
Cross-Quarter Days:
Early Spring: Feb 4-6 | 15° of Aquarius (Fixed Cross)
Early Summer: May 4-6 | 15° of Taurus (Fixed Cross)
Early Autumn: Aug. 6-8 | 15° of Leo (Fixed Cross)
Early Winter: Nov. 6-8 | 15° of Scorpio (Fixed Cross)
Sliabh na CaillÃ, also known as the Hill of the Hag, is an important ancient site in Ireland that marks the alignment of these eight sacred festivals, which correspond to key points in the agricultural calendar. Each festival—Imbolc, Beltane, Lughnasadh, Samhain, and their solstice and equinox counterparts—reflects a shift in the seasons and agricultural practices, with Sliabh na Caillà serving as a focal point for rituals and celebrations.
The landscape and the positioning of the hill create a natural calendar, as the Sun's rays illuminate specific features during these festivals, reinforcing the connection between the earth, celestial events, and the cycles of life. This alignment not only highlights the significance of the seasons but also embodies the spiritual and cultural practices of ancient communities, linking them to their land and the rhythms of nature.
Orienting to Nature's Arc of Change is a powerful way to reclaim your ancestral connection to this holy time of the year and to receive the inner gifts inherent in this season. This time can be made more meaningful by slowing down your pace and stepping back from outward activities and social obligations. Instead an emphasis can be given to fasting, meditation, prayer, and dreaming. In this way, embracing the seasonal energy, and leaning into the invitations nature brings, will really help you THRIVE in these days of darkness.
Winter comes on silent feet drawing darkness in
The colder longer days increase with each revolving spin
I will not fight the shorter hours ignoring Nature's calls
Instead, I'll slow my hectic pace and rest as Winter falls
The night invites me to my sleep, the dawn is slow to come
I slow my pace and calm my pulse and march to Nature's drum
Winter Solstice & Capricorn
The Winter Solstice happens when the Sun transitions into Capricorn, which marks a profound moment of transition from darkness to light, symbolizing both an end and a beginning. Capricorn’s energy, ruled by Saturn, brings a grounded, disciplined focus to this pivotal time, encouraging reflection, structure, and the setting of long-term intentions. As the Sun reaches its lowest point and the longest night of the year unfolds, Capricorn invites us to pause, honor the stillness, and plant seeds for the future. It’s a time to reflect on what we’ve built so far, to release what no longer serves us, and to prepare for the gradual return of light.
After the Solstice, as the days begin to grow longer and the light returns, Capricorn’s steady, patient energy helps us build momentum for the year ahead. This growing light serves as a metaphor for the slow but sure progress that Capricorn represents—growth that is steady, enduring, and rooted in intention. The Winter Solstice, under Capricorn’s influence, asks us to focus on long-term goals, set structures that support our dreams, and take practical steps to align with the rhythms of the Earth. As the light grows, so too does our ability to act with purpose and clarity, laying the foundation for the unfolding year.
Orienting to Cyclical Time
If you are in the beginning stages of disentangling yourself from the death-grip of colonial capitalism, shifting from linear to cyclical time can seem quite foreign and unfamiliar at first. As part of our colonial conditioning, many of us have have become used to perceiving time as a never-ending accumulation of events. Disorientation, dislocation and disassociation are all manifestations of the trauma of separation from nature (aka. colonial fragmentation). Making the shift toward nature's cycles will take time. That is why we came up with the concept of Nature's Arc of Change to support you on your journey.
Here is a ROOTING practice to support you with orienting to cyclical time:
Find an accessible place in nature to ROOT. Rooting is an anchor practice; a place we go to be held in nature and to behold nature.
Go to this place daily or as often as possible to observe subtle, seasonal changes in the landscape. Use a nature journal to record what you observe or experience.
For Example:
Silently listen to the soundscape and notice what you hear.
Observe the flora around you and be curious about who is growing, flowering, seeding, fruiting etc.
Track the phase and position of the moon over an entire lunar cycle, from new moon to new moon.
Track the position of the sun in the sky and how it changes from Winter to Summer.
Winter Solstice & Ways to Celebrate
Celebrate with Friends & Family
Enjoy a Warm Feast
Gather your loved ones for a potluck dinner featuring seasonal dishes—comforting foods that nourish the body and soul. Ask each person to bring a dish that reflects their personal or family traditions, especially those tied to the Winter Solstice or ancestral recipes. This meal becomes a celebration of warmth and abundance, a way to honor the return of light.
Light a Solstice Fire
Lighting a fire is a beautiful way to symbolize the return of the Sun. Share songs, stories, or myths about the Sun’s rebirth or about winter traditions passed down through generations. Let the flames represent hope and renewal as you gather in the growing light, reflecting on the cycles of the year.
Host a Solstice Ritual
Create a Solstice altar to honor the turning of the year and the return of the Sun. Invite everyone to bring an item that represents what they are welcoming into the new year. You can also add candles to represent the light’s return and share personal reflections or intentions for the coming year. As each person lights their candle, they contribute to the collective energy of rebirth and renewal.
Take a Mindful Winter Walk
Spend some time together in nature, going for a silent walk to observe the stillness of winter. Feel the crisp air, listen to the quiet, and allow yourselves to tune in to the sacred pause in this time of darkness. Sit outside, reflecting on what the darkness of winter has taught you, and welcome the growing light as a time of new beginnings.
Celebrate in Solitude
Create a Solstice Altar
Designate a space in your home to honor the Winter Solstice. Decorate with symbols of light, renewal, and new beginnings—candles, evergreen boughs, a vision board or any other meaningful objects. As you light your candles, sit in stillness at your altar, allowing the flicker of the flame to guide your intentions for the year ahead.
Set Intentions for the Coming Year
The Winter Solstice is an ideal time to dream and set intentions for the new year. Start a dream journal to document your hopes and aspirations for the year. Ask for clarity in your dreams—whether it’s about goals, healing, or guidance. Keep the journal by your bed, and as you sleep, set the intention to receive insights or visions about your path forward.
Cultivate Stillness and Reflection
The Winter Solstice invites you into a time of inner stillness. Take this opportunity to pause, reflect, and allow yourself the quiet needed to metabolize the past year. Focus on your breath to calm the mind and body, allowing yourself to be present in the moment. Embrace the quiet as a time to reset and honor your personal rhythms. Just as the Earth rests during Winter, you too can rest and restore during this sacred pause.
Closing
As the Winter Solstice marks a moment of profound transition, it offers us a chance to pause, reflect, and renew. Whether you’re gathering with loved ones or honoring the day in solitude, this sacred time invites you to reconnect with both your inner world and the natural rhythms around you. It’s a time for setting intentions, releasing what no longer serves you, and embracing the light that is slowly returning.
In these quiet moments of reflection, we remember that, just like the Earth, we too are part of a greater cycle of transformation and renewal. As the days grow longer and the light returns, let it remind you of your own capacity for growth, change, and rebirth. May the Winter Solstice offer you a fresh start, a renewed sense of hope, and the clarity to step into the year ahead with purpose and intention.
Wishing you a peaceful and reflective Winter Solstice, filled with warmth, light, and new beginnings.
References
Freeman, Mara. Kindling the Celtic Spirit.
Comments