The Winter Solstice

The word “solstice” is derived from two Latin words: “sol” (the sun) and “sistere” (to stand still). The Winter Solstice
therefore means, “Sun stands still in Winter”. Yule marks the longest night and shortest day of the year, when the Sun
ceases its decline in the sky, and for three days thereafter seems to stand still and lie dormant on the horizon. After this it
once again begins its ascent into the northern skies and the days grow longer.
Yule celebrates the rebirth of the Sun God, born of the Goddess after her return from the
Underworld. Fires and candles are lit to welcome the return of the Sun God’s light while the
Goddess rests after delivery and the hardships of her winter in labour. Yule or the Winter Solstice
is known by various other names, including: Alban Arthan (Caledonii or Druid), Jul (Norse),
Yuletide (Teutonic), Feill Fionnain (Pecti-Wita), Gwyl Canol Gaeof (Welsh), the Longest Night,
Midwinter and of course Christmas from Christianity.
The Yule celebration was particularly important to our ancestors, occurring at a time when many
(the poor, the old, the feeble) were not expected to live throughout the winter. It was a time when
their very survival depended on preparations they had made during the previous nine months.
Starvation was a constant threat for many throughout the winter, (indeed January through April
were known as “the famine months”). For many, the Midwinter festival was their last great feast
before the deprivations of deep winter set in. Any cattle left not needed for future breeding would
have been slaughtered to provide fresh meat, and any left-over produce from the last harvest
fermented and made into wine and beer for drinking.
Traditionally for the festivities, streets, homes and churches would be decorated using natural
resources, such like Mistletoe, Holly and Ivy. Their use brought colour and life into the home and
acted as a means of contact with the spirits of nature at a time when such has been threatened by
the declining light of the Sun. The Druids especially prized mistletoe that grew in the sacred Oak
trees, and on the Eve of the Winter Solstice would harvest the plant with a Golden Sickle. The
white berries of the Mistletoe represented the male aspects of the Sun God, and were used to
invoke fertility and the awakening powers of the Sun.
Equally sacred was the Holly, which again was prized by the Druids. When all the other trees
have lost their leaves, the Holly’s evergreen nature symbolized immortality by adding a splash of
colour to an otherwise barren woodlands. The red berries of the Holly were also thought
representative of the sacred menstrual blood of the Goddess. A wreath of Holly was hung on the
doors of the home for protection, and a sprig kept throughout the year for continued good fortune.
Ivy is another evergreen plant and associated with one of the most popular of the ancient Egyptian
gods, Osiris, a God of the Sun, Agriculture and Health.
Given the Druid’s veneration of trees, it may come as no surprise that the tree should play an
important part in the Yule celebrations. As a focal point in the household, a tree, normally a
conifer because of its evergreen nature, would be brought inside the home and decorated. As the
tree was a known home of the Fairies and other
Spirits, to appease them, they dressed the tree
with strips of brightly coloured cloth, strings of
shiny beads, fruit, gingerbread men and sweets of
all kinds, which they hung from its branches.
Later however, with the arrival of Christianity, early Church leaders
banned the practice in their efforts to stamp out pagan beliefs and
associations.
The modern Christmas tree as we know it today, only dates back to
Victorian times, when the practice of decorating a tree was re-introduced
and made popular by Queen Victoria and Prince Albert. In 1846 they
were pictured in the Illustrated London News standing with their children
around a decorated Christmas tree. As the Queen was very popular the
practice soon became fashionable, not only in Britain and continental
Europe, but also in America.
Another tradition of old was the lighting of a Yule Log, which was done
with great ceremony and as a highlight of the family celebrations. It was
believed that fire symbolized the return of the Sun after the Winter