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NOTES ON WINTER SOLSTICE

DECEMBER 21, the shortest day of the year

The winter solstice, the shortest sunlit day of the year, the day when the sun is farthest away from us and his light is most remote, has been celebrated in ceremony the world over for as long as human memory exists. The celebration was most enthusiastic in areas of the earth where the winter is very dark and very long, and the yearning for sun and light was so passionate. Although we now have electricity, we still honour the power and mystery of darkness. We recognize it as a threat to our sense of safety and equilibrium, and we are always anxious until we can see the first flicker of light that ends the darkness. For this reason, celebrating the winter solstice, and the sun's return, and the longer hours of light, is as appropriate now as ever...

SYMBOLS FOR WINTER SOLSTICE

Crystals or other minerals or stones, sunflowers, owls, white buffalos, winter herbs, sun figures or pictures, seeds, earth, yellow round fruits like lemons or grapefruits, lemon flavors, figurines or dolls capturing old age, photos of ancestors or grandparents, etc. A round mirror laid on the altar is symbolic of sun and returning brightness, especially if candles can be seen reflected in it.

SYMBOLIC HERBS AND GREENERY

Druids bring plants into the house at the Winter Solstice to assure the Woodland Spirits that they can find refuge with us during the period of darkness and cold. Plants used include:

1. Yellow Cedar for cleansing and purity.
2. Ash for protection.
3. Bay Laurel to ward off illness.
4. Thistle for protection, joy, and prosperity.
5. Chamomile for love and purification.
6. Frankincense for purification and protection.
7. Holly for the co-existence of human and plant spirit
8. Juniper for love and protection.
9. Mistletoe for healing, peace, and beautiful dreams.
10. Pine for peace, healing, and joy.

All of any of these can be placed on the altar, or used as decorations elsewhere

LIGHT AND SOUND

The Winter Solstice is a Ceremony honouring both darkness and light. Some think of it as a battle between darkness and light. We light fires at the solstice to encourage the Sun to turn his face northward again, and not leave us any longer in the cold and darkness. The Yule log is a huge log that is used as hearthstone to the fire. It is gathered up and kept until the spring. Pieces of it lodged in the rafters are said to protect the house from being struck by lightning.

As well as light, ancient peoples made a lot of noise, perhaps to wake the Sun from his winter sleep, or to make sure of attracting his attention. 

MAKING YOUR SACRED SPACE

Be aware that the space you move in is ALWAYS sacred. But frequently we contaminate it with our own negative thoughts. We want to make sure that a Ceremony is done in a space that we have sanctified.

Decide on the space where you are going to hold your Ceremony, then collect the herbs or essences to cleanse and rededicate it. Druids use Cedar boughs. Native Americans use Sage for smudging and cleansing. Pine and Rosemary are often used. Lavender is purifying, stabilizing and relaxing on the nervous system. Echinacea has the ability to eliminate infection, Red Clover removes tumors and stagnation from the blood, and Trillium is renowned for purity.

A good plan is to go into your own garden or neighbourhood and look for the herbs and plants that are still green and growing. Whatever is still green in the midst of December, has Life Energy. Bring it into the Ceremony place to cleanse it. If you can’t find anything yourself, try the florist.

REMEMBER: WHEN YOU TAKE A PLANT FROM ITS GROWING PLACE, YOU ARE DISTURBING ANOTHER LIFE FORM. DO IT WITH REVERENCE. IT IS TRADITIONAL TO OFFER SOMETHING IN RETURN BY SPRINKLING SOME TOBACCO LEAVES, DRIED CORN, OR BIRDSEED AND THANKING THE HERB FOR COMING WITH YOU TO ENRICH YOUR LIFE.

Remember, that the plants bring power with them: the earth they grew in, the water that cleansed them, the minerals that fed them, the sun that energized them, and the winds that caressed them all come in with them to enrich our homes and our lives.  

PURPOSES OF THE WINTER SOLSTICE CEREMONY

1. To lure the sun back to the northern hemisphere

2. To honour the growth, energy, and life force of everything on the planet

3. To honour the silence, darkness, and mystery from which new creation emerges. To honour the places of dark, silent, safe incubation: the earth, the sea, the womb...where life finds nourishment and fertile space in which to begin its journey.

4. To reclaim HOPE in the face of troubles, to honour our own STAYING POWER, collectively and individually

5. To say, 'Thank You" for all the stages of the seasons and of our lives.

THE NORTH QUADRANT OF THE LAKOTA MEDICINE WHEEL

To the Lakota, as to many tribal peoples, life is circular, rather than linear. We walk around the big circle once each lifetime, yet, with every project we complete, we walk around a smaller hoop, within the circle again.

In terms of the Medicine Wheel, the Winter Season in the universe and in our lives is in the North quadrant of the circle. Its animal totems are the Sacred White Buffalo, who is to bring peace to this planet, and the Great White Owl. Its color is white or clear, and it's stone is quartz crystal.

In human terms, it represents revered old age which has brought wisdom, understanding, and the ability to pass knowledge onto the next group of people. It is the time when we come to the end of a project, of a season, or of this earthwalk, with insight, love, and compassion, and the ability to share knowledge.

It is honoured because it shows completion, hopeful endings, as yet unknown beginnings, and courage in the face of universal mystery. It represents the faith required to go into the darkness and mystery, before the spring brings new light and rebirth. It combines incredible joy and incredible sadness.

 It is a Sacred Direction and a Sacred Season.

QUESTIONS TO ASK DURING WINTER SOLSTICE SEASON

·  What am I trying to accomplish at present?

·  How can I change my thoughts so as to empower my goals?

·  What old connections could I release now?

·  Where can I turn for Inspiration and Solutions?

·  What wisdom is seeking to reveal itself to me?

·  What are the best ways that I can refresh myself, physically and spiritually?

·  How can I show my appreciation to others more effectively?

·  How can I show my appreciation to my Self more effectively?

·  What new idea has seeded itself this winter, and how can I best nurture it to fruition, as the earth nurtures her seeds?

·  What imprisoning fears am I ready to release?

·  What parts of me will awaken with the rebirth of Spring?

·  How can I turn negatives into positives? 

ACTIVITIES FOR WINTER SOLSTICE SEASON

·         Remember happy childhood winter memories

·         Honour an elder who has passed on and re-establish your spirit bond with him/her.

·         Walk outdoors, and honour the Green Standing People's visible "bones" of the winter season.

·         Honour the living creatures that survive the winter season because of their own efforts and ingenuity.

·         Honour the stones whose patience carries them through the cold and dark, without flinching.

·         Welcome the returning sun, every morning or evening, as the days lengthen.

·         Look for the first signs of spring growth.

·         Bring into your home plants that have stayed green and alive all winter. They have absorbed the energy of the earth and rain and wind and sun. Now you can absorb that energy as well, with gratitude.

adapted from material on:

http://www.create.org/elchai/herbcer1.htm 

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