Celebrate!
“Christmas
is a solstice festival with a significant overlay of the story and
teachings of Jesus. But his teaching is universal and dovetails
beautifully with the spirit of Solstice.”
Thomas
Moore (The Soul of Christmas, p.139)
Today is the Winter
Solstice, the beginning of winter in the northern hemisphere, (and
the beginning of summer in the southern hemisphere). Above the
equator, this day will hold more dark hours than any other, but after
today, the light will begin to increase by a minute or so each day.
Winter Solstice coincides nicely with Christmas, just as Easter
coincides with the Spring Equinox, because the dates of both were set
with these in mind. In fact, December became the designated time to
celebrate the birth of Jesus only in 336 CE, by the Emperor
Constantine, the first Roman Emperor to convert to Christianity. The
Solstice was also connected with the Persian prophet, Zerathustra
Zoroaster, and with the ancient Roman festival of the sun god, Sol
Invictus.
Winter Solstice is liminal time--that moment when one thing begins to dissolve into
another—sleep into waking, day into night, autumn into winter.
It has been celebrated for thousands of years around the world. It is
thought that Stonehenge was built to calculate the winter and summer
solstices—a sort of clock that marked the waxing and waning of the
sun. Feasts were held there to celebrate.
Winter Solstice is a
perfect time to begin the celebration of Christmas. Thomas Moore
suggests we practice “moderate excess.” Some food (possibly ham,
since ancient pig bones were found at Stonehenge) and fermented
drinks (or sparking cider) are historically appropriate (and
delicious). Many celebrations include dancing and singing. If you
have a fireplace or outdoor fire-pit, the burning of a “yule” log
is traditional. In other words, kick up your heels a little bit—maybe
even a lot! Spending more time than usual with friends and family is
expected. Enjoy yourself! Play is good for the soul!
In the Spirit,
Jane
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