The Winter Solstice WRITTEN BY RUBY LEWIS
Norwegian cultures celebrate the winter solstice because it symbolizes the first day before we tread into deep winter. Cattle would be killed to store food for the winter, but also celebrated for providing resources to the people during the dark months. Wine and beer were finally fermented and ready to be consumed for the first time all year. Because of all the fresh meat and distilled wines, the Norwegian people would celebrate all night of the solstice. They believed the sun gods were preparing for rebirth and growth, resulting in the sun disappearing from the sky for a long period of time (Bierma, 2019). Although these celebrations took place at night, the use of light was crucial. Lanterns, candles, and warm fires were created to gather around and appreciate new warmth coming. They danced and sang of ancient legends telling the stories of sun gods or mythical monsters as the reasons for the darker days. They prayed and called out for the sun to return while lighting a yule log to help the sun gain her strength and light back. In Scandinavian cultures, this celebration would last twelve days (Stanton, 2021). The winter solstice has held significance since the stone age allowing cultures to understand the change in seasons. In northern parts of Europe, shrines and statues have been built to align with the sunrise of the winter solstice. The stone henge was created to orient with the peak of the sun during the winter solstice. We do know how this phenomenon was created, creating a strong magical and whimsical narrative to describe the solstice.
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he winter solstice has always been known as the shortest day of the year followed by the longest night. For centuries cultures around the world have celebrated this time with day-long feasts, ancient stories and symbolic rituals of light. We often look at the winter solstice as just the longest night of the year before we head into winter, which has led to negative associations with the day and the season. However, the winter solstice holds immense power and significance in our world and in our personal lives. 53 ALIGN
Although winter is dark and cold, Pagan traditions celebrated this time because the sun gods would return new and reborn in the spring bringing new life with them. It symbolized hope and new beginnings. We often look at winter as a bleak dark time, but can we learn from these ancient traditions to our own world and lives today. The energy that comes from winter is a sacred time of rest and reflection.
