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\n<\/p><\/div>"}. This article has been viewed 21,112 times. wikiHow is a “wiki,” similar to Wikipedia, which means that many of our articles are co-written by multiple authors. Here comes the sun! A book of shadows is essentially a personal spell diary. In fact, it’s no coincidence that Christians celebrate Christmas, or the Son’s birthday, right around Yule. This nature-based holiday is also known as Yule, and there are many traditions and ways to celebrate. If you are less crafty, you can always purchase one and jazz it up yourself with dried orange slices, pine cones, holly berries, ribbons, or some tiny Christmas ornaments. "I am guided. Put another way, the Winter Solstice marks the darkest, or shortest, day of the year right before the sun is “reborn.” In other words, after the Winter Solstice, the nights get a little shorter each day and the days get a little longer as we head toward spring. Throughout history, people have long gathered to celebrate and honor the sun. What do I need to do to spiritually to prepare for Winter solstice? The Winter Solstice is the last major milestone, or … wikiHow is where trusted research and expert knowledge come together. Do I have to be religious or a non-Christian to celebrate winter solstice? Families celebrate together with special foods like nuts and pomegranates and some stay awake all night long to welcome the morning sun. Or, indulge in a lovely quiet evening of solitude. You can lead the … Those may include help to the needy, charity, volunteering activities or ecological projects. A thrill of hope, the weary world rejoices. "How To Celebrate Winter Solstice" is a book the whole family will appreciate. The Yuletide season begins for us with intense socializing and loving our community. In ancient Rome there was a religious cult tight to the god Mitra and the sun and the winter solstice was it’s birthday. It encompasses nature, science, and personal growth. Since a circle is also an everlasting or infinite line that never breaks, a classic Yule decoration is the evergreen wreath. Research the time of winter solstice, as well as the occurrences. Honestly, with the lingering 80-degree days we are having in Los Angeles, this might be the best option even if you do have a real fireplace, depending on where you are! But I´ll tell you about the way I love to do it. The winter solstice is celebrated worldwide with feasts and festivals. Decorate a Winter Solstice Yule Tree. Hike it Baby is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to getting families outdoors and on trails across the U.S. and internationally, supporting, educating and inspiring families through their more than 300 communities across North America. The Best Essential Oils for Autumn – Free PDF! Someone asked me how I celebrate the Solstice. The United States Forest Service reminds us of a few holiday favorites that stem from the winter solstice, starting with the holly tree.Holly’s evergreen appearance made it a sacred symbol of the summer solstice, so it was used as a winter decoration … Milk baths are particularly hydrating and soothing in the cold and dry winter months. I definitely plan on waking up in time for the sunrise on the 22nd. To make your milk bath more seasonally appropriate, add wintry cleansing herbs like cinnamon, rosemary, chamomile, or peppermint. The winter solstice occurs the moment the North Pole is tilted the furthest away from the Sun – 23.5 degrees, to be precise. Yule is also known as the Sun’s birthday. Winter solstice is and energy-intensive holiday thus it should be devoted to multiply your spiritual energy and inner light. A few causes I’ve donated to this year, in case you want some suggestions, are the NDN Collective, Black Visions Collective, and ArmeniaFund. Let me know if you end up doing it also. The gorgeous holly, sage, and pine smudge bundles pictured above are by Adept Insight on Etsy. With ancient societies so focused on the comings and goings of the sun, it makes sense that they’d... Dongzhi Winter Solstice Festival. The Winter Solstice is the last major milestone, or sabbat to some, of the calendar year. . Pour some coffee to go and head to your favorite east-facing spot. In China, people will celebrate Dongzhi, a tradition that marks the winter solstice. ... Have Winter Solstice Eve and Day be the central focus for your household, and conceptualize other holiday festivities, including New Year's office parties and Christmas visits with Christian … Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 21,112 times. By signing up you are agreeing to receive emails according to our privacy policy. The Zuni native Americans celebrate Winter Solstice as the beginning of their year with a ceremonial dance called Shalako. Feast! I am always looking for sage alternatives. How to Celebrate Winter Solstice With Kids. If you are the crafty type, you can create your own fresh evergreen wreath. Thanks, David! Celebrate the winter solstice with these creative nature crafts, supporting wildlife in winter, warming food recipes, and experiences. People around the world honor the occasion in a variety of ways, and winter solstice celebrations and traditions date back to prehistoric times. One of the best ways to celebrate the winter solstice is to bake up a bit of magick. Getting up early to watch that first sunrise after the solstice is such a magical way to celebrate the birth of hope and light. [This post contains affiliate links, which means that I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you if you follow one of my links and make a purchase.]. Steps 1. So from the 22 nd of December you should start doing good deeds. Squash soup and warm roast meat are also good, traditional choices for a main course. Just search for “Fireplace For Your Home” on Netflix and you’ll get a crackling fireplace scene on your screen set to some holiday tunes. Netflix has us covered. wikiHow is a “wiki,” similar to Wikipedia, which means that many of our articles are co-written by multiple authors. So how can we safely celebrate Yule with friends this year? Here are nine Winter Solstice celebration ideas for you to try this year. If you like to mark the crucial turning points of the Solstice, there´s no right or wrong way to do so. Solstice is a special time and I love celebrating it as well. My favorite way to mark the holy day is by honoring my own desire to withdraw into quietness. No matter what holidays you celebrate this year, I hope these Winter Solstice ideas inspire you to align with nature a bit more and make room for the natural cycles of the universe in your existing holiday traditions. Historically, the burning of the Yule Log was a Nordic tradition, where a whole tree … Yule Cleansing Ritual. (Related: 9 Ways to Celebrate the Fall Equinox). Because the veil between the … You can also make your altar or write in your Book of Shadows! Instead of inviting people over to your home this year, organize a virtual Winter Solstice gathering and try one of the ancient customary r Since winter is the season of darkness and bad weather in cold climates, the … In most ancient cultures, the celebration lasted more than a day. Some of you know that I've been hosting an annual Solstice Ceremony and Celebration for the past 25 years. Meditate on the Light. All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published. (I know many simply are not this year through no fault of their own, which is why this comes last on the list.) The ancient Roman Saturnalia festival sometimes went on for a week. Amid the current public health and economic crises, when the world is shifting dramatically and we are all learning and adapting to changes in daily life, people need wikiHow more than ever. […]. We now celebrate the return of the light. I, past year reflection tarot spread by one of my favorite tarot sources, Emerald Lotus Divination, lighting a fire (perhaps the first of the season?) A soothing warm milk bath right before bed also sounds like a lovely natural sleep aid for the darkest night of the year. Let me know in the comments below! I love the idea of cleansing negative vibes – especially after this crazy year. The feast is one of the staples in nearly all cultures who celebrate the solstice. We use cookies to make wikiHow great. Some ancient winter solstice traditions are still common today, but their roots are long forgotten. We rang in the, ✨ A mantra for 2021. Winter Solstice is the shortest day of the year, when the Earth’s axis tilts us the farthest from the sun we’ll be all year, giving us the least amount of daylight. What do you have under your belt? Winter Solstice is an actual astronomical event that occurs every year, but it's more than that! To create this article, volunteer authors worked to edit and improve it over time. Traditionally, they were destroyed upon one's death. So many people get stuck on sage but many aromatics can be used, especially with sage becoming much less prevalent in the wild. Winter solstice happens on December 21 (northern... 2. Please consider making a contribution to wikiHow today. For example, Stonehenge—which is famous for its alignment with the movements of the sun—has been a celebratory site of the winter solstice for thousands of years. This little book explains what the Winter Solstice is and how it … About Hike it Baby. Let me know which ways to celebrate Winter Solstice and Yule speak to you the most. As the season of perpetual hope (according to Kevin’s agitated mom at the airport in Home Alone before John Candy saves the day), gift-giving and spreading cheer is a wonderful gesture this time of year. We know only that it was a men religion, there special traditional dinners in place depicting grottos (we have many of them) and a kind of bull blood shower to get baptized (we found only one of such places). The term solstice means “sun stands still” and, indeed, this is a time when the sun appears to halt in its apparent journey across the sky. This solstice celebration comes in June rather than December. I understand that we don’t exactly want to spread anything during a pandemic! […] (Related: How to Celebrate the Winter Solstice – 9 Simple and Fun Ways) […], […] (Related: How to Celebrate the Winter Solstice – 9 Simple and Fun Ways!) What is Winter Solstice? Winter Solstice is one of the oldest celebrated holidays across the globe. Your Winter Solstice rituals can look however you want! Winter Solstice is when darkness and night have reached their peak. For yonder breaks a new and glorious morn! It is a great time to focus on the natural world and re-connect yourself with the planet. Since its grassroots inception in … How can you leverage a new strength you developed this past year? Many traditions included a bonfire as an offering of light and fire and an appeal to the sun … Bake gingerbread cookies to bring… If you don’t have tarot cards, I still suggest answering the questions in your journal. Decorate your home. How to celebrate winter solstice in a proper way? How to Celebrate Winter Solstice: 23 Winter Solstice Celebration Ideas 1. The winter solstice, also known as midwinter, marks the day with the shortest period of daylight and the longest night of the year. Special rituals during the time of the solstice and equinox each year mark not only the movement of the sun, but the inherent cycles within spiritual and physical life as well. It is engaging and thoughtful. Understand the religious, magical and natural significance of winter solstice. (Related: How to Read Tarot Cards for Yourself). People around the globe celebrate the Winter Solstice in many ways. I needed something new to celebrate! I have never celebrated the winter solstice, so I am so excited to start! 7 Simple Winter Solstice Rituals for Celebrating the Light. For me it is a time of reflection and going inward. Reflect on the past year with your tarot cards. Lighting a fire is a great way to welcome the winter solstice and the return of … How does your family celebrate the winter solstice? Please consider making a contribution to wikiHow today. % of people told us that this article helped them. Wonderfully written article that includes the reason behind traditions and easy simple ways anyone can celebrate. and gather around to watch your favorite holiday movie or have some cozy holiday drinks, like cider or cocoa (or a double martini, I’m not here to judge). Me too, Julie! Always burn dried herb bundles with caution and in a fireproof dish. Both holidays celebrate the coming of hope and salvation at the darkest time of the year. Do people celebrate the winter solstice today? The Pagan celebration of Winter Solstice (also known as Yule) is one of the oldest winter celebrations in the world. But now, I always make sure to do an end-of-year reflection in my journal. Looks like I found a new tradition! Cool, right!? Thanks for sharing, Giorgia! Your support helps wikiHow to create more in-depth illustrated articles and videos and to share our trusted brand of instructional content with millions of people all over the world. Little darling, it feels like years since it’s been here. Let us know in the comments below! Start a new family tradition or add something new to your holiday celebrations. How to celebrate Winter Solstice in the most beautiful way? Dark days crowd in, the commute feels longer, and by the time we finish work or the … I can’t wait to try some of these ideas out on the 21st! Winter Solstice. Great celebration ideas! In ancient Rome, where it was called Dies Natalis Invicti Solis, … In fact, can we talk about the lyrics of one of my favorite Christmas hymns, O Holy Night, real quick and how that song is basically a Yule song? When the last leaves fall into the dark of early December, we all feel it. Of early December, we lose the light! rituals, feasts, and renew yourself another! Nature Walk even if the sun ’ s a great time to focus on.... Celebrate Christmas, or … how to celebrate winter Solstice really let its warmth and reassurance wash over you a... 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