Winter Solstice happens once in each hemisphere of our planet, and in the northern hemisphere will happen on Monday, December 21st. On Winter Solstice, we have the least amount of daylight, and the longest night. The sun is at the lowest angle in the sky that it will be all year. On this night, we light up our homes and light fires to remind ourselves that in the darkness there is still light. 

From this date forward, there will be a little more sunlight each day, until the Summer Solstice comes in June. It is no wonder that neolithic peoples built stone monuments like Stonehenge and Newgrange like giant sun clocks that mark the sunrise and sunset on the Winter Solstice. It's a time of hope.

The themes of Winter Solstice are particularly relevant in 2021, this year of transformation, of endings and change. We can remind ourselves that change is happening, and spring will come, both literally, and metaphorically.

So how do we mark this still point in the middle of winter?

Winter Solstice Celebrations at Home

Since many of us live with people who are of other faiths or none, I've included Winter Solstice observances that are accessible to everyone, while still being true to the holiday.

Lights and decorations

Decorations on the theme of the sun's return and light are very appropriate. So are evergreen branches. Their greenness in the middle of winter reflects the theme of life in the midst of darkness. Holly, Ivy and Mistletoe are traditional, with Holly and Ivy representing female and male fertility respectively, and Ivy representing abundant life.

So light up your Solstice tree, decorate it with items that remind you of spring and hope and change, place evergreen boughs and holly around. Make dipped candles. Light candles with wishes for the new year written on them with a pin.

Singing with people you live with

There aren't a lot of songs specifically for the Winter Solstice. Notable exceptions are Solstice Carole, by Canadian folk trio the Wyrd Sisters. It's lyrics below embody the Solstice themes of hospitality, fire and the long night.

A Fire is burning. The long night draws near. All who need comfort are welcome by here. We'll dance 'neath the stars and toast the past year, for the spirit of solstice Is still living here.

We'll count all our blessings, while the mother lays down, with the snow as her blanket covering the ground. Thanks to the mother for the life that she brings. She'll waken to warm us again in the spring.

The poor and the hungry, the sick and the lost, these are our children no matter the cost. Come by the fire, the harvest to share, for the spirit of solstice Is still living here.

A Fire is burning The long night draws near All who need comfort are welcome by here. We'll dance 'neath the stars and toast the past year, for the spirit of solstice Is still living here. The spirit of solstice Is still living here.

Other solstice specific songs of note are Light is Returning by Charlie Murphy.

Light is returning, even though this is the darkest hour, no one can hold back the dawn.

Let's keep it burning, let’s keep the fire of hope alive, keep safe our journey through the storm.

Murphy also wrote the Pagan classic “the Burning Times”.

Personally, I also find “Deck the Halls” to be more about Yule and the Winter Solstice than that other December holiday.

Hospitality

Just because we can't gather at Solstice this year doesn't mean we can't express our hospitality to people around us. Bringing and leaving gifts of food or candles for others is a wonderful way to mark the Solstice and bring light and movement.

Storytelling

Stories are a wonderful way to mark the solstice. If you have children, tell them family stories, or about yourself when you were their age. Have them tell or read a story to you too. Or if you want, you can listen to a recording of a wonderful storyteller like the late Stuart Maclean and his family friendly Vinyl Cafe stories.

Blessed Yule! Happy Solstice! Welcome the returning light!

I hope you and your household find hope, warmth and light this Winter Solstice. Welcome Yule!

photos by Annie Spratt