21 December the day of the wintersolstice - the turning point when the days start to get longer again.
The wintersolstice has been an important event for people for thousands of years. It symbolises the rebirth of light and reminds us that even the darkest night comes to an end.
Today, thermally insulated and well-heated houses protect us from the harshness of winter. Darkness can be banished thanks to light switches. And anyway... it never gets really dark in cities anyway.
Nevertheless, we feel that the time around the winter solstice is something special. It invites contemplation and peace, reflection and contemplation.
I am therefore sharing a few ideas with you on how you can consciously celebrate the winter solstice.
Wintersolstice rituals of the Germanic tribes
Many of today's winter traditions - from Christmas trees to candle rituals - have their roots in the Yule festival, the pagan precursor to Christmas.
Originally, the Germans and Scandinavians celebrated Yule as the wintersolstice festival, which centred on the turning point from darkness to light. It was a time of transition, hope and new beginnings.
Central rituals of the Yule festival were the lighting of the Yule log, a large log that symbolised warmth and the returning light, as well as decorating the house with evergreen branches - symbols of life that continues even in the deepest darkness.
Feasts, libations to the gods and ancestors, and gift-giving to friends and family were also common customs. These rituals strengthened the community and honoured the forces of nature, which were considered particularly influential at this time.
Here are some ideas for your celebration:
Bring nature into your home
Decorate your home or your altar, if you have one, with evergreens such as mistletoe, holly and spruce branches. Instead of cut branches or a felled tree, you can also use small, potted fir or spruce trees to plant in your garden in the new year. Many pagan traditions have decorated the evergreen - just as we know it today from the Christmas tree. The traditional colours were - unsurprisingly - silver, gold and red.
Invite the light
On the evening of the wintersolstice, place a Yule log (a thick piece of pine or oak wood) on the fire. This step only makes sense if you have a fireplace or a large hearth. Otherwise, candles or even fairy lights will do. The main thing is to bring plenty of light into the darkness.
Take time for introspection and calm down
Introspection and tranquillity are among the most important elements of the winter solstice and the Rough Nights. For rural communities, winter brought boredom as well as a fight for survival against icy winds. The sky is already black at 4 pm and the only cosy time is around the campfire. This quiet time allows and requires you to come to terms with your own inner world.
If you like journaling, use the wintersolstice to write down your wishes for the coming year and what you would rather leave behind.
Say goodbye to the old year
Make a list of all the things you have not yet finished with. These could be unresolved issues, worries, fears, old patterns, conflicts with other people or unfinished to-dos. Actively tackle what you want to clear up and resolve.
However, if you are holding on to things that are beyond your control or that are with you even though you want to let them go, write them down on small pieces of paper. Burn them one by one in a fire bowl or in the fireplace. If you want, you can say: I let you go.
May you all have a beautiful wintersolstice!
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