Dec 20, 2024, 6:00 AM CST
BARNEVELD, WI- (WISS & WGBW) – The Winter Solstice occurs at 3:20 AM on Saturday, December 21, 2024. It is the first of the winter holidays celebrated this year.
Yule, or Winter Solstice, marks the start of the new solar year. It also marks the longest night and the shortest day of the year.
“We’re part of a legacy that goes across time, around the world. Humankind has been observing Winter Solstice for thousands of years,” said Rev. Selena Fox, Senior Minister of Circle Sanctuary Nature Spirituality Church near Barneveld, Wisconsin. “So to keep alive that tradition, and to recognize, that we’re part of that continuity, of having ‘Happy Holidays’ include ‘Good Yule’ and ‘Happy Winter Solstice.’”
Fox said Yule and the December Solstice are celebrated by many cultural traditions and religions.
“(It’s celebrated) not only for people involved in nature religion; Pagans, Druids, Wiccans, Panentheas, Pantheas, ‘My Church is in the Woodses’ and all of that, but also for the larger community because there are a lot of people very interested in solstice now,” Fox said.
Yule is a celebration welcoming the light and the beginning of the solar year. Fox said the most recognizable of the Yuletide celebrations is the burning of the Yule log.
“Some of the traditions that come to us from antiquity have to do with light and shadow, the kindling of fires, the kindling of lights, decorating one’s home with lights, something very ancient, representing the beginning of the solar year,” said Fox.
Gift-giving is a part of solstice celebrations. Fox added that gathering with family and friends and feasting is another tradition. So is the decorating and hanging of evergreens.
“Some of the traditions that are considered holidays traditions really have their roots back in different celebrations of the winter solstice,” Fox explained. “So we have evergreens, bringing evergreens into the home, decorating public spaces with evergreens, representing the continuity of life. Holly, Ivy, and Mistletoe have long been decorations for the Yuletide.”
Celebrants pray for peace and share joy and exuberance as part of their Yuletide celebrations.
“ So some other ways that people celebrate winter solstice is bringing what I call the ‘Yuletide joy.’ Being happy with family and friends,” Fox said. “And there’s another winter solstice tradition that’s very ancient – that of making peace and putting forth affirmations and prayers for peace.”
Fox said the time of the Solar New Year is a time of renewal.
“Take this as a real opportunity to learn about cultural diversity and the rich tapestry of celebration that humankind has had as we have moved into the renewing of the sun, the renewing of self, and planetary renewal as well,” said Fox.
Yule celebrations begin on December 20th. Fox said they continue through New Year’s Day, bringing the cheer, light, and joy of the solar new year into the calendar new year.
Learn more about Winter Solstice in the “Teachings” section of CircleSanctuary.org.
Fox said her organization plans a Longest Night ceremony via its YouTube channel on Friday, December 20th, starting at 7 pm. Then, on Saturday, “All Hail, Wassail” is the Circle Sanctuary Community Yule Festival at the Circle Sanctuary Nature Preserve.
“Our church celebrated its 50th anniversary at the end of October,” Fox said. “This Yule will be our 50th Yule.”
