As some of you know, tomorrow December 21st is officially the shortest daytime of 2019 and the longest night of the year–The Winter Solstice. Then Sunday Evening marks the beginning of Hanukkah, followed by Christmas Day on the 25th and Kwanzaa on the 26th. There are a few other holidays in there as well but I think you get the idea. No matter how any of us celebrate, I tend to believe that we, like Lawrence Kushner says in this quote, are awaiting hope, possibility and whatever we call “The Light” to grow stronger. May each of us find it inside and outside of ourselves in the days to come.
And if you’d like to read more about the Winter Solstice, I wrote the following blog post a few years ago that still applies. “Two Big Reasons To Celebrate The Winter Solstice”
This year the Winter Solstice falls on Saturday, December 21st, and Thom and I are invited to a celebration. I’m not sure what to expect but we’ve been asked to bring a vegetarian dish for the potluck and I’m guessing there will be candles involved. At first glance the experience might seem strange, but maybe it shouldn’t be. In a time when many of us excessively celebrate a old man in a red suit who flies through the air on a sled pulled by magical reindeers delivering gifts to kids both nice and naughty, maybe the solstice deserves more attention than we normally offer. In fact, when I thought about it, I came up with two good reasons all of us might consider celebrating it on a regular basis.
First and foremost I think celebrating the Winter Solstice helps us get in touch with nature and the planet that we all need in order to exist in human form—and that certainly deserves our delight and honor. Remember, the winter solstice marks the shortest day and longest night of the entire year. Exactly six months later, the summer solstice will mark the longest day and shortest night of the year and back and forth it goes. While it might sound routine—this occurrence is extremely extraordinary!
Just consider that unless the rotation of our planet happens just like the seamless clockwork that it does, you and I would never know or be able to celebrate the seasons that happen annually. Weather patterns and food production would be disrupted. Life as we know it would change. Over and over this aspect to our lives is just one of the automatic processes of our environment that we take for granted and assume will never alter. Like the ebbing of the tide in the oceans, and the elements of the earth, our bodies and psyches are intimately entwined in nature in thousands of ways. But like the beating of our own heart, most of us have forgotten the miracle that we live with day-in and day-out.
Unfortunately not only do most of us take our connection to the planet and nature for granted, it’s getting worse. According to veteran wildlife presenter, Sir David Attenborough, our continued disassociation with the planet over the last 60 years is a big cause of the current planetary crisis. He reports that rapid urbanization has resulted in over 50% of us now living in cities. Some children have never seen a live wild animal (let alone a domesticated one that they eat), clear skies, undeveloped mountains, or vegetables growing in a garden. With so many people out of touch with the seasons, with animals, and nature herself, it’s easy to imagine a future where we live in enclosed biospheres that resemble zoos (or jails). But instead of us placing the animals inside, we’ll be doing it to our children and grandchildren just to stay alive.
Of course it will require more than merely celebrating the Winter Solstice to return us to a place where we stay more connected to Mother Earth. But is it such a bad idea? If every family around the world took nothing more than a few minutes to stop and point out to their children the incredible miracle that life on this planet offers each of us every solstice, it could help in ways unimaginable.
The second reason I think it would be good to celebrate the Solstice is because it connects us to the past in ways that could possibly educate, inform and benefit us into the future. Think about it—according to some estimates it is believed that the Winter Solstice in the Northern Hemisphere has been celebrated for at least 6,000 years. That’s because although our ancient ancestors knew little of the scientific reasons for the change of seasons, they were intimately aware that daylight was growing shorter and temperatures were dropping. They didn’t need to look at a calendar to know that animals were going into hibernation, fruit or vegetables must be harvested and stored or that it was time to stock up on some candles. But then, just when it seemed the sun was destined to wither away completely, a reversal occurred and the light returned.
Attempting to make sense of the mystery of it all, our ancestors imagined all sorts of spiritual and religious beliefs to explain the return of light to themselves and their families. Anyone who had lived for a few years probably started recognizing the pattern and began realizing that perhaps there were things that could be done to ensure that the event not only occurred on schedule, but did it in a way that benefited the family. Religious rituals were introduced, celebrations happened, and before long the Winter Solstice celebration was an annual occurrence.
Of course, it wasn’t always called a Winter Solstice celebration. The religions and spiritual beliefs that sprung out mankind’s desire to make sense of the universe, absorbed the experience of the shortest day into various traditions and rituals that suited that particular group. The ancient Romans, who believed their most powerful God to be Saturn (the Sun God) celebrated Saturnalia on December 17th and partied for seven days. While it eventually evolved into a riotous experience of a holiday, it started out with feasting, gathering with friends and family, and gift giving.
Going further, Hanukkah from the Jewish tradition is connected to the middle of winter and is a celebration of light with rituals of gift-giving, indulgent food, and gathering with family and friends. The Dongzhi Festival in China and Japan is a winter solstice celebration with ties to short days and long nights, and roots traced back to the yin and yang philosophy of balance. Scandinavian counties celebrate St. Lucy’s Day where a young woman wears a crown of candles and hands out treats to children. Another winter festival tied to the solstice in Northern European countries was named Yuletide where the heat and light from a special log was said to represent the properties of the returning sun. There’s more. For at least 6,000 years most people on the planet have celebrated the season in a way that gave their lives meaning, purpose and a sense of understanding. There are (and have been) many more traditions out there that I don’t have time to cover. But this in no way detracts from those who choose to celebrate Christmas in whatever fashion. Instead it provides even greater depth and connection when understood within the concept of wholeness.
What I believe might be important is to acknowledge is that the Winter Solstice has always been a breeding ground of ritual, celebration and connection for all human beings for thousands of years. If we are paying attention, the Winter Solstice can remind us of the mystery, wonder and gift of being alive. As long as we are not overly attached to believing that our ritual and celebration is superior and exclusive, we can appreciate that all of us have a strong desire to connect to a source of meaning and purpose. Best of all, the shear wonder of the experience can also help us to be humbled and awed by a force so much greater than our limited and tiny understanding.
Another thing I especially like about the Winter Solstice is that it belongs to every single one of us equally. No matter where you live, no matter what your race or background, no matter your religion, political party, your sex, your age or whether you are rich or poor—this important planetary gift is ours to appreciate and enjoy. So regardless of whether you plan anything special this Saturday evening, I urge you to consider that this event is indeed special and deserves recognition far beyond what we usually take for granted—even if all you do is light a candle and remember.
The returning of the light is always welcome. It was especially so when I lived in northern Canada, where the days of December are very short and the nights very long.
Jude
Hi Kathy, I briefly updated you on personal events this past month on your previous post. I am enjoying catching up on my reading. The Winter Solstice is very meaningful for me, too. I agree with the connection to Mother Earth. A time for reflection and setting intentions. Over the past years these intentions have manifested into my life.
I especially like your phrase, “celebration and connection for all human beings for thousands of years.”
I always learn something new in each of your thought-provoking posts.
I hope you and Thom are having a wonderful holiday season. Chuck and I wish the both of you a Happy New Year! Thank you for shining your candle, Kathy, all year long.
Hi Erica! So good to hear from you again. And yes to a good 2020 for us all! ~Kathy
leave a comment to read comments. I received your email, Kathy. I don’t know what the problem is either. I received your email, Kathy. I’ve tried various things to no avail. This is the only blog this is happening with. I enjoy reading the comments so if you don’t mind the comment to read comments reply, I’ll just continue to do that. Thanks.
I need to post a comment to read comments.
Hope you had a wonderful Solstice dinner last night Kathy!
I honoured the solstice last night and welcomed the sun this morning.
More meaningful to me these days than any other celebrations occurring this time of year.
Deb
Hi Deb! I saw the photos you posted on FB and they certainly expressed the beauty of “light.” But I’m someone who will celebrate just about anything, any time so I try to find something I love and appreciate about every single holiday–especially as it relates to LIGHT! I hope your day was as special as you planned and that it may sustain you until the actual light returns. ~Kathy
I always get very excited when the winter solstice rolls around. Although we (thankfully) don’t have to endure months of gloom and snow here, I still feel the difference when the days get shorter and shorter. I’m looking forward to a few more seconds of light tomorrow! I also will be happier when the sun is higher in the sky so I don’t have to shade my eyes as much when I’m outside. I’ll be doing a happy dance at 8:19 this evening!
Hi Janis! #Metoo! I’m not a big fan of regular time and definitely prefer daylight savings time mainly because I associate it with long days of light. From here on out I’m counting the minutes of increased sunlight. I’d never, ever, ever make it in the cold north! ~Kathy
I’ve become quite conscious of the solstices. Tonight, family and friends will join me at the solstice fire. Tomorrow, my friend will ask me if I’m aware of the difference in the daylight! It’s great cause to celebrate in the dark cold winter this far north.
Hi Mona! I agree. I find that if I pay attention I can watch the changes in the sun and the patterns of light even here in the southwest. It is so easy to be distracted (at least where I live) that it is nice to be reminded. May your holidays be wonderful, warm and filled with LIGHT! ~Kathy
We’ve always felt pretty much in tune with nature, especially while living on a sailboat and even in our camper. But, regardless of that, December 21st has forever been on my radar as the Winter Solstice (even though I didn’t call it that way growing up or speaking another language), because it is the shortest day and the countdown to summer and longer days starts right after! Despite the unintuitive fact that the coldest days are yet to come. Let there be light! 🙂
Happy holidays to you and Thom and may the potluck be fun and the festive season be delightful. Have a fantastic 2020 as well!
Thanks Liesbet. This year we actually had a very quiet at home Solstice. (I wrote that post a few years ago!) But I so appreciate thinking of and honoring the solstice because it reminds me of how tied we are to the Earth. And yes to the coming light! Happy Holidays to you and Mark and may you find a warm and happy place to be as the sun grows a bit longer every day. ~Kathy
We interrupt this blogging break to wish you and Thom a great Winter Soltice, a wonderful Christmas, and a happy and healthy year ahead!
Hahahahah! Thanks Donna. I love to celebrate so I’ll be celebrating them all. And YES to a happy and healthy 2020 for us all. ~Kathy
Happy Winter Solstice to you! I look forward to longer days so I am always happy to mark this yearly milestone.
Thanks Haralee! And happy Hanukkah to you and yours!
Hi Kathy, thank you for putting Winter Solstice on my radar today. “A strong desire to connect to a source of meaning and purpose’ is what this season is all about. Wishing you peace and joy.
Hi Suzanne! Thank you. It’s pretty easy for the Winter Solstice to get lost in all the celebrations this time of year but it does bring me back to what I consider to be most important too. Have a wonderful holiday! ~Kathy