Winter Solstice, also known as midwinter, the hibernate solstice, and Yule, is the astronomical first day of winter. The December Solstice marks the astronomical end of the fall and the astronomical beginning of the winter for the Northern Hemisphere. The day that the winter solstice occurs is the shortest day and the longest night of the calendar year. After the winter solstice, the days get longer, the nights get shorter until the longest day, and the year’s shortest night occurs on the Summer Solstice.
Winter solstice traditions and Yule celebrations celebrate the “birth of the sun.”The Solstice became a celebration in ancient times. As people were worried that daylight was running out in the winter the Solstice showed them that the light would return.
As we celebrate the light, it is essential to take the time to spiral within to acknowledge our shadow self and the wisdom it shares with us so we can help bring the light of awareness into the darkness.
Ways to Celebrate:
- Dine by Candle Light to embrace the darkness
- Make a Yule Log / Gathering by the fire as a fire ritual
- Create an altar for Yule
- Consider New Year’s Resolution
