Winter solstice, December 21st, marks the returning of the light in the northern hemisphere. The days begin to get longer on December 22nd and through to summer solstice in June. For our ancestors winter solstice was considered a time of rebirth, likely because it marked this turning of the light.
Today, some burn candles to celebrate the returning of the light. Beeswax candles bring in a certain sweetness into the reflective energy.
As the days begin to get longer they also progress to colder. In connection with rebirth, the colder time of year is a time of deep reflection and awareness with the hope of a better future.
Knowing that we are about to step into a new year can also assist us in riding the returning light into new possibilities and gatherings that allow nature to show us the way.
For information about the astronomical reasons of the winter solstice and also some of the celebrations of the past you might check space.com:
Click here to go to their post on the winter solstice.
Photo credit: Image by Helga Kattinger from Pixabay