It was dark. So very dark. It had been dark for a very long time. The stars were mere pinpricks in the night sky. The trees were spooky silhouettes. Shadows lurked everywhere. Callieach, the Celtic goddess of winter, skulked through her kingdom. Villagers cowered and hid in darkened, straw-lined rooms in fear that the fierce Winter Hag would turn them to stone.
One villager, Brigid, was braver than the rest. She did not hide in fear when Cailleach roared through the darkened huts. She preferred to stay in sight but just out of reach. She knew Cailleach could feel her presence, and each day she ventured out just a bit more. She watched cautiously as Cailleach walked through her kingdom, manifesting stones to throw along the paths, creating dips, hills, and sometimes mountains. She believed Cailleach could turn her into stone if she so desired but doubted she would. What would be the point? Cailleach couldn’t reign in terror forever. Eventually her power would wane and she would depart. There must be people left behind to rejuvenate the land for when she returned and the cycle started again.
The villagers did not know that Brigid was the goddess of fire. She lived among them through Cailleach’s season of cold, snow, ice, and darkness. It was her way of protecting them. She would make herself known when it was time. But she was no match for the power of Cailleach. Rather than challenge the Winter Hag, she would stay hidden yet alert and help with the transition from winter to spring. During the dark days, she would remind the people that the light had not deserted them. It would return when it was time. There would be warmth, and there would be new life. There would be celebrations, dancing, and feasting. So, while they waited for the winter to drift into spring, Brigid encouraged the villagers to be at peace. She showed them how to make fires and gather warmth. She taught them to turn Cailleach’s power around and use it to reflect, to be still, and to listen. Winter became a time of togetherness, of storytelling, and of preparation. She helped the people to not fear the dark but use its energy to go within and gather strength for the time of light.
And as it did every year, the day came when Cailleach’s power peaked. It was the longest night of the year. The shortest day. And the next morning, when the sun was beginning to make its upwards journey, there was a faint beating heard. A heartbeat. The villagers ventured forth with excitement, straining to hear the sound and identify its origin. It seemed to come from deep within the ground. But wait! What was that? A newcomer in their midst? Their beloved Brigid stepped forward, and with a mighty groan, blew a slight puff of light and warmth into the never-ending darkness. That breath met the sun and gave it the strength to continue its journey. It was enough to give the villagers hope, hope that soon life would be renewed.
Brigid vowed to continue to strengthen her power until Cailleach returned to the earth. It would take many days, but on that day, there was hope.
While we don’t have Cailleach and Brigid to help us through the winter, we can still look at the Winter Solstice as a time of transformation. It is the shortest day of the year and the longest night, but it does signify the return of light. The days will gradually get a bit longer. Not really all that noticeable at first, at least where I live, but little by little, the sun will rise earlier and set later. Before we know it, daylight will take over.
Winter Solstice, also known as Yule, doesn’t get the attention it deserves in my mind. It is only a few days away from Christmas, and that holiday is all-consuming. You really have no choice, whether you celebrate Christmas or not. The stores have been promoting Christmas since early November. Some people start decorating in November, and consumerism takes on a whole new meaning!
Dec. 21 tends to be a more serene time. It is a cuddle-up-and-get-cozy kind of time, especially after you’ve spent some time standing around the backyard bonfire in minus 15-degree weather (if we’re lucky). It is a time to harness the energy of the darkness, reflect, and plan, knowing that the days will now start to get longer. It is also the official first day of winter, a fact that is not lost on those of us who have been living in way below zero temperatures and snow for a couple of months already. Dec. 21? Hah! Try Nov. 1.
What exactly is the winter solstice? Well, simply put, it is the day when the Earth’s axis is tilted furthest away from the Sun. That’s why it is the shortest day of the year, because there are fewer hours of daylight. Canada will get about eight hours and four minutes of sunlight. And yes, those four minutes are very important when you consider that we will be in the dark for almost 16 hours! But the next day, the Earth continues to tilt, and eventually, in June, we will have the Summer Solstice. The longest day of the year. This date is in the Northern Hemisphere. It is the opposite in the South. They are experiencing the longest day of the year and the shortest night. Just as we do in June.
Marking the darkest day of the year means that brighter ones are just around the corner. That’s reason to celebrate. And for centuries, that’s what people have done. But in places such as the Canadian prairies, Dec. 21 is often met with sadness. We know what awaits us! Sure, the days may be getting a bit longer, but typically, those temperatures are getting ready to plunge into the mid-20s and 30s without the windchill. That’s minus, ok? It’s a trade-off, I suppose. More daylight but colder temperatures.
Solstice is a time to gather with family and community and honour the cycles of nature. The common thread seems to be celebrating with a bonfire, feast, and storytelling. Some communities have planned activities such as nature walks and hot chocolate and spiritual services. Some people prefer to celebrate on their own.
Are you interested in marking the Winter Solstice? Here are a few simple things to do:
- light candles
- find out when the sun will set in your area and go for a nature walk
- prepare a special meal: a hearty soup featuring loads of root vegetables, a heavy bread/buns, gingerbread cookies, mulled wine
- gather with your family or friends: share a warm, quiet time before the more hectic days of Christmas arrive
As you settle in on Dec. 21, may you find hope in the stillness and the dark. Embrace the knowledge that light is coming, and with that, new beginnings. Blessed be.
Interesting Reads & Things
https://fpcf.ca/stories/celebrate-winter-solstice
Wanderings Art 