Winter Solstice

 

Newgrange in Ireland.

Two cups of lovely hot coffee are required this December morning. Peaks of pale sunshine try to warm up the house, but the rays are covered in winter gray. As you know, I do love these winter days full of cold and snow mingling with the early darkness. I am not a fan of driving in the snow, and I do worry about the folks on the roads including those young drivers, but I have the current luxury of spending time at home. School is out, travel will be coming soon, but for a week or so, I get to spend my mornings with coffee and lit candles. It is a sweet and peaceful existence.

I have always been the one who loved these dark mornings and early evening darkness even when I was too young to understand the Solstice. I don’t remember folks, even my dad referring to it as the Solstice, but instead the first day of winter which are one in the same. The Solstice has a much lovelier ring to it, and, for me, a great opportunity to really spend time thinking about the ancients. It completely amazes me. How did they know, and what did they know?

The winter solstice has been celebrated since the Neolithic Period since around 10,200 B.C. The celebrations since that date have been filled with bonfires to appease the sun hoping it would return for warmth. It is hard to imagine not knowing if the sun would come back, and what a joy to watch it return! Most of us just go about our day on the Solstice not even wondering if the sun will return. We know it will, but imagine not knowing?? Maybe the same is true with the Summer Solstice wondering if the heat will subside, and winter will once again return. Even if you are not a fan of winter, we need it for the land and for our crops. I have been thinking we may have a bumper crop of vegetables this year due to the early cold!

The Summer Solstice is the longest period of daylight and is celebrated for those lucky enough to attend in Stonehenge. I must admit I was never there to see it in person. How oddly strange it must have been to build such a large human sundial to be able to pinpoint the moment of the longest period of daylight.

In contrast to Stonehenge, Newgrange was built to celebrate the Winter Solstice, the shortest day (daylight) of the year. It is estimated to have been built in 3,200 B.C. in Boyne Valley, Ireland. It encompasses an acre of land, and was built for astrological reasons and for the ancient tombs. During the winter solstice, the sun’s rays peak through the roof-box just for a few moments. There is even a lottery held to see who the lucky ones will be to attend each year. There is a long list, by the way! The sky is often dark or cloudy during the winter months in Ireland. Nonetheless, the feeling is magical.

I was only at Newgrange during the summer months. It was the year Ellen and I traveled to Ireland and met up with a wonderful Irish man who took us there. Only a few tourists per day are allowed to see it. I guess he knew someone who knew someone because we got in. Even in the middle of summer, it was magical. We passed by the ancient tombs on our way into the center. Once inside our guide had us lie down on the dirt floor and a simulation was done showing us what it would be like on the Winter Solstice. I know I caught my breath while watching. Someday, maybe, I will get to have my name drawn for the lottery.

There are so many holidays during this season. Truly I love them all. Some I watch from afar and others, I am able to join right in. The Winter Solstice holds magic for everyone, even if only your own rejoicing in the daylight to increase. We are the lucky ones knowing summer will return.

Until then, light a candle, and say a prayer into the holy darkness.

As Carrie Newcomer wrote in her Solstice song, “All is not dark, even in the darkest nights. There is still something whole and sacred in the world - there is still a light in the window - and it is all still completely possible.”

Happy Winter Solstice