Winter Solstice: Time of Opposites

Next Thursday, December 21^st, the Northern Hemisphere will experience the Winter Solstice, the shortest day of the year. 

From this day onward, the period of daylight progressively lengthens. Oral tradition, evidence of rituals, and monuments such as Stonehenge tell us that this important turning point was honored and celebrated even in prehistorical times.

Above: Prehistoric drawing by the author

The myth of the sun’s victorious rebirth as an innocent and powerful youth appears in many tales. So does our Father Christmas, Father Frost or Holly King, who represents the winter, darkness, wisdom, cunning, old age, and death. Small wonder that these two are ceremonially pitted against one another in ritualized male combat and kingly secession, the battle of the Holly Lord and the Oak King. More here. 

Above: Holly and oak

From the distaff side we have winter personified as a crone, who magically becomes young in love (or in Spring). More here. 

As a rule, the “male stories” center around competition and death, while the “female stories” center around love and marriage.

Above: withered rose hips, plane tree bole with face

We are all of us at times dark and light, old and young, male and female, as we move through each day and its attendant kaleidoscope of feelings and experiences. Nature is our mirror; she shows us various aspects of ourselves as the seasons turn. As we enjoy the holidays, let us remember to honor the wise old dark and the bright innocent power of new beginnings.

Above: Cozy fox by the author

Have a blessed solstice!

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