winter solstice

 It’s that time of year...

The winter holidays are upon us once again. Twinkling lights, decorated trees, candle lighting, gift giving - all the usual trimmings for this time of year.

It’s also the winter solstice and one of the most enduring symbols of this solstice is the importance of light. In the depths of winter, when days are short and nights are long, people have long sought ways to bring light into their lives to combat the darkness and cold. This is reflected in the many winter solstice traditions that revolve around light, such as using candles, fireplaces, and lanterns to brighten homes and public spaces. And much of this naturally overlaps with Christmas and Hanukkah. Whether it is the warmth and comfort of a fire, the light of a candle, or the twinkle of holiday lights, this is a time when people come together to celebrate the return of the sun and the promise of new beginnings. From this day forward the days will start to get longer and we experience more daylight.

Today is also a big day at Stonehenge. The stones of Stonehenge have silently marked the winter solstice for thousands of years. The Druids of ancient Britain also saw the winter solstice as a time of renewal and rebirth, and it was an important event in their religious calendar. 

This was a few years ago at the Tree of Lights on Solstice Day. It was turning dark  and I was waiting for the lights to bring brightness to this day with the shortest daylight hours.

"After the longest night, tomorrow we sing up the dawn. There is a rejoicing that, even in the darkest time, the sun is not vanquished." - Dacha Avelin