The Winter Solstice has just passed in the Southern Hemisphere, mostly with little notice being taken, at best a mention at the end of the weather report. It gets much better press in the Northern Hemisphere linked as it is to Christmas.
Solstice means ‘sun standing still'. Daylight is at its shortest and the sun is at its lowest arc in the sky. The winter solstice marks the official first day of winter. The ancients were more interested in this annual event than we appear to be and for good reason.
Ten thousand years ago the Neolithic people were the first farmers and their lives were intimately linked to the passing of the seasons. By necessity, they learned to tune into the needs of each season and what it meant for the land. The winter solstice was a time of celebration, festival and prayers to their gods and goddesses.
Ancient Egyptians held ceremonies during the solstice. Before them and approximately 5,000 years ago in Ireland, a tomb called Newgrange was built designed to let in light only during the solstice. It was recently featured here on local TV and you can buy tickets in a lottery to gain privileged access when the chamber is illuminated! Here's a link for more
Native Americans, such as the Hopi and Zuni Indians, celebrate the day. And people have honoured the solstice in China, Japan, and Taiwan too.
Even Hanukkah and Christmas are related to the winter solstice. Hanukkah always begins three days before the new moon that is closest to the winter solstice. The new moon is when the dark side of the moon is facing Earth.
Ancient Rome had a major festival in honor of Saturn, their god of farming, on the winter solstice. The solstice occurred around December 25 on the Roman calendar.
About 1,600 years ago, Pope Julius I of the Catholic Church decided that Christmas should be celebrated on December 25, so that a Christian holiday would replace the ancient Roman one.
There is a lot of action during the winter solstice in the northern hemisphere! But it doesn't mean that we here in the Southern Hemisphere need miss out.
Winter is traditionally a time for consolidation, hibernation and conserving resources. It is an inward time. But what does that mean for us?
While our modern lifestyles tend to pay little heed to seasonal changes compared to our forefathers, there is much wisdom in these ancient practices. Life is fast enough as it is. Don't we all deserve a little rest? And why not take time out to review how things are going for you?
Here's what you can do:
- Reassess your current goals – are they directed to where you want to be?
- What do you consider your most valuable personal assets and strengths of character? Do you use them as much as you could? (Ask someone who knows you well if you're not sure)
- What are you grateful for? How do you express that?
- What would your inner wisdom have you do that is in harmony with our winter solstice?
Personally, I'm grateful that this time of year hasn't become a commercial sellout. I can quietly go about my re-assessment and consolidation in peace!
