Brick and Mortar Store is Closed December 25th and January 1st
The year’s shortest day, Winter Solstice will soon be upon us in the Northern Hemisphere.
This culturally and spiritually important day has been observed for millennia across the world. Celebrated under numerous names such as Alban Arthan, Yule, or simply Midwinter, this holiday invites us to seek comfort in the warmth of our hearths and welcome the return of sunlight.
Symbolism of Midwinter
For most cultures, the Midwinter solstice hails the return of the Sun and longer days. It comes in the middle of the cold and barren season. You will notice that the sun rises late and sets early, and the noontime shadows stretch long on the ground as the sun hangs low in the sky.
This year, the solstice falls on the East Coast on December 21st, 2024 at 4:21 a.m. (EST). This is when the Earth’s tilt is the farthest away from the sun in the Northern Hemisphere.
Many pagan cultures celebrated this day as “the birth of the sun”. For Druids, a ritual is needed to reverse the course of the waning Sun, which is performed on the winter solstice. After the ritual, the sun is “reborn” and begins to move higher into the sky with every new day.
In other traditions, such as the Iranian Shab-e Yalda, the Sun God, Mithra, triumphs over the darkness of winter. People will observe this holiday by gathering together by a hearth fire, protecting each other from evil, sharing in a feast, and reciting stories and poems throughout the long night. When the sun rises, they celebrate the victory of Mithra and the banishment of evil. Other deities that are observed around the Winter Solstice include Odin, Frau Holle, Saturn or Kronos, Cailleach, and Horus.
Feasting and Rituals
Food, as with all holidays, is an important part of midwinter celebrations. Even in this agriculturally barren time, people would hold feasts with their loved ones, friends, and neighbors. In China, Dong Zhi, or “Winter’s Arrival” is celebrated by eating traditional foods such as tang yuan (glutinous rice balls in broth) and meat-stuffed or plain dumplings.
In Japan, the yuzu fruit is considered sacred and used for its healing powers. On the winter solstice, it is common to take a ritual bath with the yuzu fruit to ward off illness and bring good health and luck. Some seasonal foods and herbs you may want to include in your rituals include oranges, cloves, cinnamon, rosemary, and evergreen plants.
The Zuni and the Hopi Native American nations have their own sacred rituals performed during the Winter Solstice. The Zuni Pekwin, or “Sun Priest”, will announce the moment of the rebirth of the Sun with a long mournful call, and the occasion is marked with a ceremonial dance called Shalako. The Hopi celebration of the solstice is called Soyal. Similarly to the Zuni, an appointed Sun Chief announces the time of the solstice which begins the all-night ceremony. Soyal includes kindling fires, dancing, and even gift-giving.
Make Your Own Traditions
The dark and coldness of Midwinter can affect our mood and spiritual health, which is why so many of our ancient ancestors made traditions that included festivals, feasting, and community. You may find inspiration in these celebrations to create your own traditions for this time of year. Spend the night of the solstice in a protective circle with your loved ones or coven members, and celebrate the sunrise after the longest night of the year. You can give offerings to the Sun God of your choice. If you need more inspiration, you may find it in our Yule Sabbat box, which comes with a wassail mix, ritual oil, incense, and other handpicked ritual items for Midwinter spellwork. You can find our Sabbat boxes and other supplies in our Asheville shop or online store.
