Winter Solstice

This year the winter solstice begins on December 22 at 5:30 AM UTC.  Many know that the solstice is the shortest day of the year, meaning less daylight hours, than darkness. It seems bleak, but the ancients didn't look at it this way, they looked at it as a positive turning point. It may be the shortest and hence, darkest day, but what happens the next day? Light happens!

I frequently remind my students that when the Universe closes one door, it always opens another. There are many things that influence that door. Our current conduct, Karma and life lessons have a great impact in what doors are available to us. When we do the right things, the doors are wonderful opportunities. They aren't always perfect, like some spring days, but change is inevitable. The goal is to always make it good change.

The winter solstice can be looked at as the beginning of a long, hard winter, or better yet, as the Pagans do. That being a time when the Holly King makes his exit, and the Oak King makes his return. The days are getting longer and light is returning to our world.

January is named for Janus. Janus is a Roman god who looks forward and backward at the same time. It is very apropos for him to be the namesake of the first month of the Roman calendar. We should look back and say "what have I accomplished, and what do I need to change for the better?", then with all that knowledge from the year before, have a better year.

One of the most notable celebrations of light, is Chanukah. It is a celebration over the return to the destroyed temple in Jerusalem, the Second Temple as it was called. In the rubble and mess was just enough oil supply to light the lamps for a day of work, yet that little bit of oil miraculously burned for eight days, allowing the temple to be restored. There is now an eight night celebration each December to commemorate that miracle. Chanukah means "to dedicate" as the temple was rededicated and used after being destroyed.

Today Jews all over the world light the eight candle menorah at Chanukah to commemorate the re-dedication of the temple. There are also small gifts, and food, but it is not a "Jewish Christmas", it is just that there are many celebrations that surround the solstice, with similar traditions.

The Christians have Christ , "the Light of the World" being born in December (although we know now he wasn't a December child at all) The Church moved his birth to coincide with other events in other belief systems to bring others in to the church. Scholars place his birth in March or April, depending on their calculations which depend on many historical factors. Christ's birthday is still celebrated in December however, from the religious to the mundane.

In Persia (now Iran), the longest night was followed by the Khoram Rooz, the "Day of the Sun".  Certain Romans celebrated Mithra Dies Natalis Sol Invicti , or the Day of the Birth of the Unconquered Sun (and it is the celebration most likely tobe the reason for moving Jesus' birthday to December). The name was later shortened to Sol Invicuts. The Romans also celebrated Saturnalia at that time. Ancient Rome had a celebration of something just about every day. Many times these celebrations involved food, drink, and sex, and that was what the Church wanted to change. The birth of the "son" who brings light into the world, was a direct response to this celebration of Sol Invictus.

Oohji-Taisai, celebrated in the Land of the Rising Sun, Japan. It is a Shinto ceremony where farmers light fires on the mountains to welcome the sun. Japan is not the only place where fires are lit to welcome the sun back, but this celebration has the sun as an integral factor, as the sun is a symbol not only of Japan, but Shintoism. Shintoism is an ancient religion still celebrated today. It honors, in part,  the Sun Goddess Amaterasu.

This is just a sample of what people do to celebrate the winter solstice. It is not just about Christmas and not just about Chanukah. Many get "excited" over the differences in religion, I get excited over the similarities. When we drop the "mine is the only way" line of thinking, we see that many cultures formed the same type of thinking, belief and celebrations, way before they even knew other cultures existed. When we give others the room and respect to celebrate in their own ways without condeming them, we find that maybe we aren't so different at all, after all the same one being, no matter what you call it, made it all. Every last bit of it.

Celebrate and share in the celebrations of others. Learn, research and GROW!



Peshaui Wequashimese


(C) 2011 Dr. R M Wolf , may not be used, copied or reproduced without prioe written permission.