Winter Solstice

Winter Solstice, also known as Yule, Christmas, and Saturnalia, occurs in mid-December (this year, it will happen on December 21, 8:14 pm EST).

No matter what you call it, it celebrates the birth of the new Solar year and the beginning of Winter. The Goddess manifests as the Great Mother and the God as the Sun Child. The God also appears as Santa Claus and Old Man Winter. Colours are Red, Green, and White. This is a festival of inner renewal.

From:
http://www.circlesanctuary.org/pholidays...

As I sit down to write this, the Winter Solstice is 4 days away. Outside the weather, which is more like early Spring than Winter, makes it difficult to realize this. It is only when it starts to become dark around 4:30 pm that I am reminded that we are moving towards Winter and not away from it. The Wheel of the Year spins on and we weave our lives as it turns.

This year my partner and I will be taking time away from our daily routines. We are having a stay-at-home holiday which begins on December 21 and finishes on January 5, 2003. No running off to meetings, no classes to attend or workshops to give. It's will be just the two of us with the occasional visit from friends and neighbours, of course.

It will be a time of quiet reflection and planning as we give some though about how we wish to spend the next few years.

Naturally, there will be a strong emphasis on food because quiet reflection can be hungry work. I want to develop a few new recipes and try some dishes that I have not yet made. As I write, there is a roasted vegetable dish cooking in the oven. Carrots, cauliflower, potatoes, and cabbage, seasoned with sage and hot dry chili peppers. We will be serving this dish as part of our Winter Solstice meal on Saturday night, so I need to experiment with it to be sure that it has the flavour that I am seeking. Red, white and green candles are everywhere or will be when Saturday arrives.

I have often said that it all begins with food and I believe that our celebrations support this. Presents can be fun but a well-prepared meal, regardless of its nature, shared between friends and family is truly a notable event.

Unfortunately, the dinner table can also be a place of violence rather than peace. This year as you sit down to your festive dinner take a minute to send a thought of peace to everyone, everywhere and have a very, very joyous Holiday.

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