(Fell on the 21st of June in 2008, in the Southern Hemisphere. For information on the Southern Wheel of the Year, click the label at end of post.)
Winter Solstice is also known as Longest Night, Midwinter, Yule (Scandinavian/Germanic origin) and a few other names.
In Australia and all the Southern Hemisphere, Winter Solstice falls around the 21st of June. (Summer Solstice is around the 21st of December.)
At Winter Solstice 2008 I did not make it to circle but celebrated it at home.
I set up the altar facing east and covered it in a red cloth. The cakes and ale I put on a green cloth on the table. Red and green for the goddess and Her labour. On a nearby shelf I put white candles and yellow flowers on a yellow cloth. Yellow for the returning god. There were two dozen candles and they created a strong blaze of light to symbolise the return of the sun.
The cakes and ale was balls of chocolate wrapped in gold like tiny suns and ginger beer from Queensland. Queensland is north of NSW and thus in the direction of the sun's warmth.
After the ritual I settled down on the sofa with a Pagan DVD and Yule food but didn't manage to stay awake to welcome the sun at dawn. I woke up when the sun was well up in the sky but went outside and welcomed it back anyway.
Next year I look forward to celebrating the Winter Solstice in circle.
Carols Christian & Pagan
Other than the presents, the things I've always enjoyed most about Christmas are the images of snow (very good to look at in the heat of an Australian summer), the ham and special sweet foods, the natural world at that time of year, and singing my favourite carols.
Now I am studying Paganism, I realise that most of my favourite Christmas/Yule rituals and songs are Pagan or nearly so.
Carols with no discernible Christian content:
* Jingle Bell Rock
* Rocking Around the Christmas Tree
* Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas
* Deck the Halls
* Jingle Bells
* Let it snow! Let it snow! Let it snow!
Carols with snap-in Christian content:
* O Christmas Tree (English version)
* Good King Wenceslas
* Joy to the World
* Winter Wonderland
* Twelve Days of Christmas
* Christmas Dinner Country Style
At Winter Solstice 2008 I started with the Beatles' song Here comes the sun and followed up with my favourite carols.
Here comes the sun by the Beatles
