7 Simple Ways to Celebrate Winter Solstice
There’s a lot of pressure this time of year. Hopefully not sinus pressure (though that is common) but a pressure to be and do and make and buy. The end of the year seems to race to a grand finish and it’s easy to get lost in the bustle. So, each year when solstice arrives, it has a certain allure; celebration without obligation.
What is the winter solstice anyway?
Seen as a time of rebirth, the winter solstice is the point at which the path of the sun in the sky is farthest south. On this day, the sun travels the shortest path through the sky resulting in a day with the least sunlight and therefore, the longest night. It is also referred to as the hibernal solstice - you know, like when bears snuggle down in their caves (sounds like a good plan, doesn’t it?). This year it falls on Tuesday, December 21, at 10:58 a.m. EST.
How can we celebrate? And why?
The term “solstice” comes from the Latin words “sol” (sun) and “sistere” (to stand still) because, during the solstice, the angle between the sun’s rays and the plane of the Earth’s equator (called declination) appears to stand still. This day is a time to welcome in stillness and take a deep breath as we step into the longest, most restful night and prepare for the new year. It is a day to acknowledge our shadow selves and bring our light of wisdom and awareness forward into the darkness.
When we have children and grow our families, an opportunity is born to create new traditions and examine what is important to us as parents. Solstice is the perfect day for this sort of self-discovery. There are no expectations and there is no anthology of movies showing you how it “should” be. There are also, rarely, other family members who have an emotional attachment to how you celebrate, so you are free to make it yours.
Here are a few simple ways people honor the winter solstice. You can recreate these traditions in your own style:
Light a candle. Don’t worry - you don’t need to do anything elaborate - no trips to Michael’s needed. Simply light your favorite candle to carry the light into the darkness. If you want to go big on the fire theme, build an outdoor campfire to warm cider or mulling spices. Bigger? Invite some like-minded friends over for a bonfire.
Carpe diem! It’s the shortest day of the year, so challenge yourself to enjoy every second! Wake with the dawn, enjoy whatever weather the day brings, go on a hike or walk through your town, do a creative project you’ve been postponing - just make the day yours.
Decorate a tree. Sound familiar? You may already have a tree or plant in your home decorated, so how about bringing this tradition outside? You can decorate a tree outside for the winter animals. Think strings of popcorn and berries, peanut butter and bird seed ornaments, or citrus bird feeders. It’s a great way to get the whole family involved!
Make a lantern. You can use many different materials to create your lantern, but an easy project is grabbing an empty jar and using Modge Podge to stick tissue paper, leaves or dried flowers to the outside. Once it dries, add a tea light inside and enjoy the glow.
Feast. Think of warming, comforting things that make you smile. Cinnamon, cardamom, cloves, freshly baked buns, wassail, root veggies, citrus… there are no set menus here!
Set intentions for the new year. Choose a word that will carry you into 2022. Think of a new ritual you want to add to your day. Decide on one new thing you’ll learn to do or learn more about in the coming year. Even the youngest children can be a part of these exciting musings about what’s to come!
All the long echoes sing the same delight,
This shortest day,
As promise wakens in the sleeping land:
They carol, feast, give thanks,
And dearly love their friends,
And hope for peace.
~From “The Shortest Day” by Susan Cooper
