8 Ways to Celebrate the Winter Solstice
Winter solstice falls on the 21 December each year. It is the day with the shortest hours of daylight (in the Northern Hemisphere), and the longest amount of darkness.
In the Pagan Wheel of the Year this is the celebration of Yule. A time of reflection, birthing new beginnings, and celebrating the return of the light. Winter Solstice is a time of hope.
Although winter can be a hard time of year, Winter solstice is a beautiful celebration offering hope for the coming spring and the return of the light.
In this post I will share some of my favourite nature filled and slow, seasonal ways to celebrate this winter solstice.
The History of Yule
Winter solstice or Yule is a tradition that’s been celebrated around the world for millennia, with stone monuments similar to Stonehenge across the UK that are aligned with the winter sunrise at Solstice.
Ancient solstice celebrations include Romans who held several celebrations around the time of the winter solstice. Saturnalia, a holiday in honor of Saturn, the god of agriculture, was a weeklong celebration in the days leading up to the winter solstice.
Saturnalia was a hedonistic time, when food and drink were plentiful and the normal Roman social order was turned upside down. And Juvenalia, a feast honoring the children of Rome.
Norsemen celebrated Yule from the winter solstice through January.
In recognition of the return of the sun, fathers and sons would bring home large logs, which became known as Yule logs. They would set one end of these logs on fire. The people would feast until the log burned out, which could take as many as 12 days.
The Norse believed that each spark from the fire represented a new piglet or calf that would be born during the coming year.
Incas payed homage to the sun god Inti at a winter solstice celebration called Inti Raymi (Quechua for “sun festival”). In Peru, like the rest of the Southern Hemisphere, the winter solstice takes place in June.
Before dawn on the day of solstice, they went to a ceremonial plaza and waited for the sunrise. When it appeared, they crouched down before it, offering golden cups of chicha (a sacred beer made from fermented corn). Animals—including llamas—were sacrificed during the ceremony, and the Incas used a mirror to focus the sun’s rays and kindle a fire.
Similar celebrations have been held in China, Scandinavia, and Japan. And by Native Americans…
Symbols of Yule
There are traditionally and seasonally a number of natural world plants, animals and scents etc. that are all connected to the winter solstice. Here are some of them:
Herbs + Flowers for Yule Thistle, Chamomile, Ivy, Mistletoe, Peppermint leaf, Rosemary, SageIncense + OilsCedar, Cinnamon, Clove, Frankincense, Juniper, Myrrh, Peppermint, Pine, Sweet OrangeTreesApple, Birch, Cedar, Chestnut, Citrus, Fir, Holly, Juniper, Oak, Pine, YewSymbolsBells, Candles, Lights, Ornaments, Pinecones, Reindeer, Snowflakes, Sun symbols, Wreaths, Yule logs, Evergreens, Mistletoe + Holly
CrystalsBloodstone, garnet, quartz, ruby, emerald, diamond
Foods
Spiced cider, mulled wine, eggnog, gingerbread, dried fruits, roasted meats, apples, cinnamon cookies, nuts, red cabbage, latkes, chestnuts
Colours
Red, green, gold, white, silver
8 Ways to Celebrate Winter Solstice
Yule is about cultivating strength, gratitude, and hope. We release the struggles that we have worked through during the dark half of the year so that we may welcome in the energy of the Sun—the source of the vitality and resilience that carried us through those hardships. By reflecting in the shadow of the night, we find inner knowing, peace, and resolve that readies us to shine anew.
Celebrating the winter solstice is a ritual that is intensely personal and individual to you. Here are some ideas for activities you can cultivate or use to create your own winter solstice ritual —
1.Create a Yule Altar
Combine winter greenery like ivy, holly, pine, and rosemary with acorns, pinecones, orange slices, ferns, feathers, candles and crystals to create a small space to give thanks, spend time sat in meditation or journaling, and to celebrate nature and the return of the light.
A space for connecting with the energies of the season.
Take a look at the symbols of Yule above to help you choose decorations for your alter.
A Meditation for Winter Solstice
Once you have collected and arranged your alter around you sit in a comfortable position, take some time to take in the scents, feelings and energy these give you, and start taking some slow, deep breaths in and out.
Then, close your eyes and meditate on your intentions for the year ahead. Visualize your goals coming to fruition, and hold this image clearly in your mind. Picture yourself sending this vision onto your altar and letting the plants absorb your desires, infusing the herbs to be slowly released into your space throughout the winter to focus and inspire you.
2. Build A Bonfire
Candles aren’t the only way to celebrate the coming light. Having a bonfire with friends, sitting in a circle and creating a ceremony of cinnamon spiced hot chocolate or roasting marshmallows and chestnuts can also be a winter solstice ritual.
Whilst sat in your circle atriums the bonfire you can either each take it in turns to say what you are thankful for this year, or write down all the things you are releasing and clearing out to make way for the new of the next year, then throw your paper into the flames to be burnt away.
3. Midwinter Baking
Cinnamon, nuts, chestnuts, mint and orange are all flavours and scents of the Winter solstice. A lovely and cosy way to celebrate Yule is by baking gingerbread men, macadamia nut or walnut cookies, cinnamon spiced apples, roasting chestnuts, and even drinking mulled wine or cider.
You can find my simple and easy gingerbread men recipe on the blog, as well as an oat cookie recipe that’s super easy to adapt and add nuts too.
4. Make Midwinter Infused body oils
Body oils are a beautiful way to practice massage and self care rituals. An oil such as sweet almond oil, infused with plants and/or oils of rosemary, juniper, pine, orange, peppermint, frankincense and myrrh ( or a selection thereof) is a deeply moisturising, nourishing and warming oil that will enliven the mind, warm up your body, protect your skin, and soothe cold and aching muscles.
Start with your base oil of choice, such as almond. Pour into an airtight container and add in your plants, mix then seal, and leave to infuse for 1-2 weeks.
After this time strain your oil and add in the essential oils you wish to use.
If you are just adding essential oils there’s no need to wait, add your essential oils to the base oil, shake and use.
5. Run a Bath with Winter Solstice Bath Salts
Soaking in a bath with winter solstice bath salts is a perfect way to embrace the magic of this
celebration and literally soak up the healing and restorative properties of the plants.
A perfect way to complete your Winter Solstice rituals. Soak yourself in some Himalayan salt, rose petals, sage, frankincense essential oils and any other herbs or oils that make you feel light and relaxed.
While you’re in the bath, take a bit of time to imagine all of your worries, stresses and fears flowing out of you and into the water. Once you are finished, wish them well and let them complete their journey down the drain, back to the earth.
6. Cleanse Your Space
Both physically and psychologically a Solstice is a perfect time to get rid of the clutter and unwanted or unused items in your home, also in your mind too!
Take the time to go through your space and get rid of anything that doesn’t light you up. Throw out all the stuff you’ve collected over the year that you haven’t used, don’t need, or is just rubbish. You’ll be amazed how much you will end up getting rid of - and all that extra space is making way for fresh energy, and new things to come to you in the new year!
Don’t be afraid to make it fun. Play your favorite music, invite some friends, have some mulled wine and cookies as you go.
This applies to your mental space too - what have you been holding onto that isn’t serving you?
This is a time for letting go of anything that doesn’t align with our highest purpose, integrating all that we learned when we explored our shadows, to approach our fears with determination, push boundaries to step outside of our comfort zones, and commune with all that is, realising fully that we are an intricate part of everything. And preparing for the cycle to start again come Spring.
Now that you know everything there is to know about the Winter Solstice and how it fits into the grander cycle of death and rebirth, it’s time to get to three rituals to help you magnify this energy
Then Smudge it all!
Once you’ve gone through and purged all your extra stuff, your space may feel a little different. Well, that’s great, because it’s the perfect time to double down and clear out any stagnant energy! Grab your favourite smudge stick or incense and burn away any negative or stagnant energy still hanging around. Sage, Palo Santo, Lavender, Frankincense, Rosemary or any other incense that resonates with your spirit.
Try to get all the windows, and corners of your rooms too, while asking for anything that is not yours to leave your space. Open a window when you’re finished to clear it all away for good.
7. Use the Power of Aromatic Plants
These beautiful evergreen plants are uplifting and restoring at this time of year, and they have properties that go far beyond their scents. Make a pine needle tea or Evergreen cordial to sip.
The evergreen family contains many common trees we know and love: cedar, coastal redwoods, pine, spruce, Douglas fir and juniper.
Rich in vitamin C, the evergreens promise a refreshed sense of vitality during this winter season. We like to use them in herbal steams or tea for their bright and energizing effect. They also make a festive and aromatic herbal cordial for winter celebrations! As always, we highly recommend being very familiar with and properly identifying any plants you plan on using for edible creations.
Evergreen Cordial Recipe
A delicious seasonal cordial to access the spirit of evergreens throughout the year.
Servings: 16 - recipes makes about 2 cups
Time: 2 weeks
Materials:
A glass jar – quart or pint jars work well.
Ingredients:
1 cup chopped freshly foraged green needle tips of Cedar, Redwood, Pine, Spruce, Douglas Fir or Balsam Fir
1 cup sugar
½ cup water
1.5 cups vodka or brandy
Instructions:
Make simple syrup: dissolve 1 cup sugar in 1/2 cup water by heating gently in a saucepan.
Combine all ingredients in a glass jar. Make sure that the liquid fully covers the plant matter. You can top it off with extra vodka or brandy if needed.
Shake well and allow the mix to infuse for at least two weeks. Shake often, and keep away from direct light. We like to keep them on the kitchen counter as to not forget about them.
After about two weeks, strain the liquid out, and discard the plant matter.
Bottle and keep in a sealed jar. This will keep for about a year- if you can make it last that long!
To Use:
Use 1 oz of herbal cordial per serving
8. Make a herbal Wreath
Another way to use your winter evergreens and plants is to create a wreath or centrepiece, something decorative and wonderfully scented which will also come in handy this close to Christmas!
For this you need a wire or willow base for the overall shape. Some green garden wire, and the foliage of your choosing.
Watch this clip for a simple and understated wreath idea.
Winter Solstice Blessings to you, xo Emily
The winter solstice marks the longest night and shortest day of the year, and it's been celebrated by cultures around the world for centuries. Here are eight ways to celebrate the winter solstice:
Host a bonfire or candlelight ceremony: Light a fire or candles to symbolize the return of the sun and gather with loved ones to celebrate the changing seasons.
Make a Winter Solstice altar: Collect natural items like evergreen branches, holly, mistletoe, and pine cones to create a beautiful Winter Solstice altar.
Enjoy winter activities: Go sledding, ice-skating, or build a snowman to celebrate the winter season.
Take a nature walk: Take a mindful walk in nature to appreciate the beauty of the changing seasons.
Have a feast: Gather friends and family to enjoy a feast of seasonal foods like roasted root vegetables, squash, and hearty stews.
Make sun-themed crafts: Create sun-themed crafts like sun catchers, paper snowflakes, or even a sun-shaped wreath.
Practice self-care: Take time for yourself to relax, meditate, or practice yoga to honor the Winter Solstice.
Donate to a charity: Give back to those in need by donating to a local charity, food bank, or homeless shelter to spread the spirit of giving during the holiday season.
These are just a few ways to celebrate the Winter Solstice, but the possibilities are endless. Whether you celebrate with loved ones or take time for yourself, the Winter Solstice is a time to reflect on the past year and look forward to the new one. Happy Winter Solstice!
xo Emily
