Winter Solstice

Dec. 21, 1995

     The winter solstice signifies the dark time when the least amount of radiant sun is upon the land. This has been a time historically in which there are many celebrations to signify this turning point when the darkness reaches its apex and again the light begins to ascend. So you know this is an astrological, an astronomical event but its significance to human beings goes beyond astronomy. When the light diminishes, there is a significant impact upon the human psyche and when the light is ascending there is also an impact upon the human psyche. So one cannot say that the solstice is merely a scientific, or astrological event. It  is also a psychological and sociological event. For there are ramifications in terms of the individual and in terms of the society which lives in the place where the light is diminishing and where it is again increasing. So these astronomical, astrological events have a significant impact upon the human beings. We are not apart from the cosmos in which we live. We are in fact a part and parcel of the integral play of this manifest universe so that what happens with the stars, with the sun, with the turning of the planet and the seasons, affects the human mind and also affects the human society.

     Now, in ancient times, in many, many cultures, the changing of the seasons has been celebrated. Different cultures have developed different rituals for these occasions but all of these rituals involve some demonstration of the significance of the particular solstice. The winter solstice, where there has been a descending into darkness, will involve some type of ceremony which indicates the celebration of the return of light. You will see, if you look into different cultures, the winter solstice is celebrated with light because the darkness has reached its apex and the living beings are calling the  return of the light. In the play of opposites and of contrasts, this is very significant for darkness and the diminishment of light, brings a certain psychological state and the return and enhancement of light brings a different psychological influence.

     Now before the winter solstice the light is ever diminishing. In some parts of the world the day may become very short. In the northern countries, the impact of this is most significant and it is both cold and dark. The human beings must retreat to the most inward state, living by the light of the fire in the cavern or cave of their home. They cannot spend much time in the outdoors because it is cold and it is dark and only in a short time of day will they find the light and even that light may be a bit dim. It will be stormy, snowy, there will be so much hardship due to weather in this time and when the solstice is reached, the very apex of this dark and stormy time is upon the human beings and they have retreated to the inner-most sanctum of their hearth and home. So this is a time to sit by the fire, to tell stories in the night, to come to know your kin and in so many societies, for thousands of years, this is what has been done at this time of year. And when the solstice , there is a celebration for the return of light and honoring of the forces of light. So you will find many times there is lighting of candles, the putting out of different lights or fires to signify the worship of light. For, by the winter solstice, the human beings are longing for the return of the light; the earth itself is longing for the return of the light and in the human psyche this longing manifests so there is a celebration of light, a calling for the light to return to the world.

     Now, this may be physical light and it also may be spiritual light. It is the birth of the light within as well as without. So you know, it is significant that in Christianity it is the birth of Christ. What is Christ, what is the meaning? Not only does Christ signify a historical figure but it also signifies a spiritual influence; that of love and of spiritual light is born upon the winter solstice to grow and develop and increase in the world. So the Christ light will increase and in the winter solstice, the worship or the celebration of the birth of this light is given and this tradition goes far past Christianity. It is a very ancient tradition of ancient societies who worshiped the coming of the light upon the winter solstice. The making of  the Christian holiday is merely a flimsy overlay upon the existing celebration of solstice. So you see this is very ancient, this celebration of solstice which has become Hanukkah, and has become Christmas. In Hanukkah, the candles are lit, are they not? In Christmas, the lights are put upon the tree, and around the house. Originally the candles were put on the tree, and around the house. In the ancient ceremonies from eastern Europe and from northern Europe, also the candles were lit and various ceremonies included the significance of lighting the house in full and lighting the yard and celebrating the birth of the light, the return of the light.

     There was one ceremony that was celebrated for many hundreds of years in which many people would gather around in a circle and, holding candles together, the whole community would raise the candles high and they would chant to the sun god or the spiritual emanation represented by the sun. Raising the flames high, they would call to the light of the divine and of the sun to return to them, to take them out of darkness and bring them again into the warmth of the sun. Holding the candles high, they would then begin to expand the circle including every member from the smallest  to the most ancient, making them all manifestations of light. They would move into a very great circle and sing songs of love, songs of praise, songs of worship. Lights would be all around, the hall filled with light, each person carrying the light. They would praise the light of God in song. Then all the fires would be lit and the calling of light back to the world completed.

     So in ancient times the solstice was celebrated. Variation existed from one culture to another but the primary theme remained the same, and even in the modern holidays, you will see the same themes and the same customs expressed. The giving of gifts is also very ancient and a part of winter solstice. But the gift that is given is the gift of light to the world. The light of the heart as well as of the candle is given to those that you love and so, in some places, it became the custom to make a small token of this love and give it symbolizing the light from within the heart being given and spread to loved ones so that all may be encompassed by the light. This is the celebration of the birth of spirit in the world in the form of light. It is a significant time for life is very different, particularly in northern countries in the dark time, when the snow blows on the cold wind and the light is very dim. From winter solstice forward, all know that light and warmth will grow and take the land and bring the human beings out from their cavern into the world.

     So you see, those energies which lead to solstice and those which move past it into the summer are very different and it is fitting to mark these occasions and share them with friends in a ritual of light celebrating the birth or return of light to the world and the expansion of the human spirit into the world. You see, when a gift is given, it is a symbol that the heart cavern is opened and the light of the heart expressed in the world to others. In this way, the light is called back to the world.