Samhain to Winter Solstice

Earlier nights turning into frosty, crisper mornings. Leaves falling from their branches until barren. Winter is coming, and that means Solstice.

For many, Halloween otherwise known as Samhain (Sow ween) marks the beginning of a cycle, the Pagan New Year, sometimes referred to as turning the Wheel of the Year. The symbol of a circle or wheel represents an annual cycle of seasonal festivals commemorating certain events, usually corresponding with the solar calendar. These may include Solstice, Equinox, and other high holy days called Sabbats. Observing seasonal changes and cycles has been important to people throughout history, from the Egyptians to Celts to Hopi, and in the case of the winter holiday can also lend some solace in our modern world.

What is Samhain?

This marks the Celtic New Year, generally known as Halloween and is celebrated on October 31st, halfway between the Autumn Equinox and Winter Solstice. It commemorates the end of the harvest season and was the time farmers used to prepare their fields for the coming winter. Many would clear their lands by piling the dying crops and debris into stacks and light them afire. Hence a bonfire became a symbol of this time.

With the end of summer and the light of day waning much of the focus of this day shifts and turns inward. As the new year begins it is a time to reflect on what seed you may want to plant in your own soul for the coming year. It will be two months until Winter Solstice. Two months of long nights, cozy fires, perhaps even feeling the need for more rest or deeper introspection to renew your dreams and wishes.

The Symbolism of Winter Solstice

The longest night of the year, Winter Solstice or Yule is typically celebrated when the sun reaches its lowest apex on or about December 21st, at least in the Northern hemisphere. As the wheel turns from this day forward in the year, the sun remains a little longer in the sky bringing with it more light into our world. This festival of light can be seen in many cultures honoring the return of the sun like in Scandinavia, the feast of Juul is celebrated with bonfires representing the return of light and longer days.

For many, this time of darkness is a time to regenerate, renew, and self-reflect. The seeds we planted at the time of Samhain are now ignited by the new light of Solstice and will grow with the coming Spring. This can be witnessed with the ritual of lighting a candle on Solstice night (even if it is an electric one), the flame burning through the longest night until sunrise when the wheel of the year turns toward the light.

In my family, we turn off all the lights and sit in silence, feeling the darkness of this night. Then one candle is lit illuminating the black with light to represent the sun returning. From that one candle, each person takes a turn to light a candle of their own further brightening the room. Then each candle is placed on the dinner table and remains burning throughout the shared supper.

5 Things to Do to Celebrate a Solstice Season

Be you are with family, friends, or solo this Solstice, here are five ideas to spice up your holiday and honor the return of the Sun God.

1. Spend some time reading up on the ancient myths and legends of this holiday, perhaps while curled up by a warm fire. How much more pagan can you get on a dark, stormy night than sitting by a blazing fire? To the pagans of yore, Solstice was the rebirth of the Sun God, usually represented as a horned, male deity. To the ancient Romans it was Saturnalia they celebrated for a good harvest, abundance, and fertility.
2. “Deck the halls with boughs of holly”. Take this as a directive to decorate your home in festive and traditional themes from boughs of holly to mistletoe. During this season, I lay cedar or pine branches along my mantle and bookshelves to bring a little bit of nature inside. Besides the aroma the branches bestow is heavenly. Even the Solstice (Christmas) tree is an ancient pagan practice.
3. Prepare a Yule feast. Any favorite dish can be spiced up or garnished by using seasonal spices such as nutmeg, clove, cinnamon and even honey (or try Agar if you prefer a vegan option). A favorite drink this time of year is “Wassail”, an alcoholic blend of cider, spices, honey and brandy. Other traditional choices to add to a Yule supper are squash soups, roasted vegetables, and a dessert version of a Yule log.
4. A-Wassailing we go. Wassailing is the same as caroling, the practice of going outside and singing of Winter’s joy. Before Christianity, farmers walked around their fields at night singing to ward off spirits who might endanger their crops. Today we sing to spread goodwill and cheer.
5. Give a gift for the joy of giving. These can be simple gestures of baked goods or something hand-made or made from the heart. No need to get caught up in consumerism or holiday extravaganza which can be exhausting to your soul and your pocketbook. The giving of gifts dates back far into history, from Roman times to ancient Druids. A tradition of generosity is worth paying forward. Give a gift to family members or friends, co-workers or strangers on the street. Give a gift of time. Give a gift of yourself.

As the days are shorter and the night's longer, let’s let winter become a time of inwardly feeding our spirit. The wheel of the year will keep turning and the days will grow ever brighter. Winter Solstice is a time to celebrate that light. For me, I like to think about it as the light in each of us. Just like the candles lit from one flame, we can help each other brighten the darkness. Here is wishing you good cheer and may your holiday be merry and bright.

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MaryRose is a writer/speaker/advocate living in the beautiful Pacific Northwest between mountains and water; she is a traveler, massage therapist, a vegetarian foodie, and mom to two amazing grown kids. She is active in a local PFLAG chapter and works for social justice with the LGBTQ+ community.

Contact her at MaryRoseDentonWriter, @maryrosedentonauthor on FaceBook, or on Twitter.

She believes in Meraki, which is what happens when you leave a piece of yourself, your soul, creativity, or love, in your work. When you love doing something, anything, so much that you put something of yourself into it.