The winter solstice is a significant time in pagan traditions. It marks the shortest day and the longest night of the year. This astronomical event has been celebrated for centuries by various cultures around the world. The main idea behind the winter solstice in pagan traditions is the celebration of the rebirth of the sun. In many pagan beliefs, the winter solstice represents a turning point in the cycle of life and nature. It symbolizes the darkness giving way to light, the cold season coming to an end, and the promise of a new beginning.
During my week the serious is barred: no business allowed. Drinking and being drunk, noise and games of dice, appointing of kings and feasting of slaves, singing naked, clapping… an occasional ducking of corked faces in icy water – such are the functions over which I preside.
Drinking and being drunk, noise and games of dice, appointing of kings and feasting of slaves, singing naked, clapping an occasional ducking of corked faces in icy water such are the functions over which I preside. While we take our commitment to people and planet seriously, we acknowledge that we still have plenty of work to do, and we welcome all feedback and suggestions from our readers.
It symbolizes the darkness giving way to light, the cold season coming to an end, and the promise of a new beginning. This concept is often linked to the idea of the death and rebirth of the sun god or goddess. During the winter solstice, pagans engage in various rituals and practices to honor this symbolic transformation.
Rebirth, hope, worship: The meaning of the winter solstice in human history
Archaeologists have excavated a tomb whose entrance faces the solstice sunrise. We explore how different civilizations have marked the year’s shortest day.
In just a few days, on December 21st, the Earth’s northern pole will be tilted to the furthest point from the sun in its rotation. In the northern hemisphere, the sun’s light will fade into the longest night of the year—stretching for around 15 hours in the middle latitudes (like most of the contiguous U.S., for example).
In modern times, for many people, the solstice means dark evening commutes and all-too-brief days. But over the course of human history, the day marking the shift from shortening days to lengthening ones has carried a wide range of meanings in different cultures.
Related
We were reminded of how significant the solstice has been—and still is—in human history by a news-making discovery from archaeologists from the University of Jaén and Málaga in Spain. The team recently excavated a tomb in Egypt that proved to be the oldest in recorded history. But more interestingly, the tomb has a chapel oriented directly to the winter solstice sunrise.
Located near the city of Aswan in southern Egypt, the tomb is part of an extensive cemetery from Egypt’s Middle Kingdom, between 2040 and 1782 BC. Many of the other graves in the burial area are aligned to the summer or winter solstice. “The winter solstice was one of the most important moments of the solar cycle in ancient Egypt, announcing the beginning of its rebirth and culminating in the summer solstice.” The archeologists who worked in the tomb wrote. By building tombs this way, they continued, ancient Egyptians “ensured a connection between the architecture of a sacred space and the rhythm of the cosmos.”
Ancient Egypt wasn’t the oldest civilization to place significance in the solstices, though. Archeologists and historians have found even earlier evidence of monuments oriented around the winter solstice sunrise or sunset, including Stonehenge . The winter solstice sunrise would have been framed by stones (that have since fallen) even taller than the ones still standing. The Neolithic culture that built the monument is thought to have held feasts around the winter solstice—a sign of hope that warmer, more abundant months were coming.
Many pagan traditions include gods born on the winter solstice, and the day is celebrated at festivals and ceremonies everywhere from the Dongzhi Festivals in China to rites marking the beginning of the agricultural year in Bolivia. The winter solstice was, and still is, a meaningful day for Indigenous people in the US, who take the day to celebrate the return of the sun and the broader natural world.
Related
The exact rituals and monuments may be different, but common themes of the significance of the winter solstice emerge over time and between cultures. It’s the last hurrah before winter’s lean, dark, hungry depths, when the community comes together to face down the long days ahead before the next growing season. It’s a celebration of the sun’s rebirth and the year’s rebirth—dawning hope. Even Christmas, always just a few days after the winter solstice, is celebrating an important birth in the Christian faith.
As we step out of our schools, workplaces, homes and into the twilight of the shortest day of the year (at an hour that could probably be called “midafternoon”), we hope you’ll take a moment with us to remember that Egyptian tomb, constructed millennia ago to be illuminated by the solstice sunrise. To take a brief pause, or however long it takes you to think about our place in the cosmos and the long, warm return of what’s to come.
***Adventure.com strives to be a low-emissions publication, and we are working to reduce our carbon emissions where possible. Emissions generated by the movements of our staff and contributors are carbon offset through our parent company, Intrepid. You can visit our sustainability page and read our Contributor Impact Guidelines for more information. While we take our commitment to people and planet seriously, we acknowledge that we still have plenty of work to do, and we welcome all feedback and suggestions from our readers. You can contact us anytime at [email protected] . Please allow up to one week for a response.
Share this article
Miyo McGinnMiyo McGinn is a writer, fact-checker, and self-described aspiring ski bum based in Washington. Her bylines can be found at Grist, High Country News, and Outside. She covers US and global news stories for Adventure.com.
Around this time, the Church came up with the idea that Jesus Christ, their savior, was born on December 25th. In the 4th century CE, Christianity had begun to draw heavily upon Roman festival of Saturnalia. Christian leaders succeeded in transposing these festivities on to their new made-up holiday.
Bonfires are lit to represent the return of the sun's warmth and light. Yule logs are burned, and candles are placed in windows to guide and welcome the sun's rebirth. These rituals aim to bring blessings and light to the community and to dispel the darkness of winter. The winter solstice is also associated with renewal, hope, and gratitude. Many pagans take this time to reflect on the past year, express gratitude for the blessings they have received, and set intentions for the year ahead. It is a time for introspection, connection with nature, and a rekindling of spiritual energy. Overall, the winter solstice holds great pagan significance as a time of rebirth, renewal, and hope. It is a time to honor the cycles of nature and celebrate the return of light and warmth. This ancient tradition reminds us of the interconnectedness of all life and the importance of embracing change and finding joy even in the darkest of times..
Reviews for "Connecting with Nature: Pagan Perspectives on the Winter Solstice"
1. Sarah - 2/5 stars - "I was really disappointed with 'Winter solstice pagan significance'. I was looking forward to learning more about the history and significance of the winter solstice in pagan traditions, but this book didn't deliver. The information provided was very basic and the writing style was dry and uninspiring. I was hoping for a deeper dive into the rituals and practices associated with the winter solstice, but this book only scratched the surface."
2. John - 1/5 stars - "I can't believe I wasted my money on 'Winter solstice pagan significance'. The book promised to explore the pagan significance of the winter solstice, but it was filled with inaccurate information and poorly researched content. It felt like the author was simply regurgitating information from other sources without adding any unique insights or perspectives. The writing was also incredibly boring and lacked any sort of engaging narrative. I would not recommend this book to anyone interested in learning about the pagan significance of the winter solstice."
3. Emma - 2/5 stars - "I had high hopes for 'Winter solstice pagan significance', but unfortunately, it fell flat. The book lacked depth and failed to provide a comprehensive understanding of the pagan traditions surrounding the winter solstice. The information provided was overly simplistic, and the author didn't delve into the rich history and cultural significance of the solstice. I was left feeling unsatisfied and wanting more."
4. Mike - 2/5 stars - "I was intrigued by the topic of 'Winter solstice pagan significance', but I found the book to be underwhelming. While it briefly touched upon some pagan practices associated with the winter solstice, it failed to provide a thorough exploration of the subject. The writing style was dry and lacked any sort of storytelling element, making it difficult to stay engaged. I was hoping for a more comprehensive and insightful examination of the pagan significance of the winter solstice, but unfortunately, this book missed the mark."