In Pagan times the winter solstice was referred to as Yule and was a celebration of the Goddess (Moon) energy. Evergreens . During the winter solstice, the North Pole is tilted farthest away from the Sun, delivering the fewest hours of sunlight of the year ... meaning shorter days and longer nights. For example, in the days of the Inca Empire the winter solstice was honored with Inti Raymi, or Festival of the Sun. Symbolic winter invites us to quiet the mind, still the soul, and crystallize our inner workings. 01. of 07. Each culture has a different spin on this iconic feature during the winter solstice. There is no wrong way, so long as your intentions are pure. The solstice, which occurs on December 21, is an auspicious occasion that is celebrated around the world. While most of us barely acknowledge its passing, to earlier cultures this was a day of both trepidation and celebration. Tang Yuán is the food with a symbolic meaning of family reunion. The Symbolic Nature of The Winter Solstice. From ancient Celtic to American immigrants to European influence – Christmas tree meaning is all over the map. During this time, animals prepare for the winter by storing food and creating cozy hibernation spaces. To some, that extra darkness actually adds to the spiritual significance of the Winter Solstice. The winter solstice was historically a time when cattle was slaughtered (so the animals would not have to be fed during the winter) and the majority of wine and beer was finally fermented. One argument would state his defining reason for us is to be a marker for the winter solstice and New Year. Of course the short answer is that it is a name referring to the Winter Solstice. Autumn represents the preservation of life and its basic necessities. Yule holds special meaning to us as Pagans due to the important symbolic nature of the balance between light and dark, and the shift in balance at this point in the year. The ancient Romans celebrated Winter Solstice with a festival called Saturnalia, dedicated to Saturn their god of agriculture. Esoteric Meaning Of Christmas And The Winter Solstice by Gregg Prescott, M.S. The winter solstice has symbolic meaning, acknowledging that light always returns even in the darkest of times. Looking specifically at my own spiritual path, the Winter Solstice marks the time for Yule celebrations. Solstice comes from the Latin scientific term solstitium, comprising sol, meaning “sun,” and the past participle stem of sistere, meaning “to make stand.” This is because the location of the sun in the sky relative to the horizon at midday, which increases and decreases throughout the year, tends to pause in the days following the solstice. The symbolic meaning of April. The symbolic meaning of the Christmas tree is deeply rooted in history. For the world is at it’s darkest when St. John arrives. In the early 4th Century, the Roman Emperor Constantine declared that Christianity would be the new faith of the Roman Empire, the Saturnalia was given a new name and meaning. It “amplifies” thoughts and forces you to be in control of your actions. Solstice derives from the Latin scientific term solstitium, containing sol, which means "sun," and the past participle stem of sistere, meaning "to make stand." The Gallbladder is the Shao Yang. It was believed that on this day, the Moon […] December 21, ... and participating in the construction and interpretation of these systems of meaning. In northern hemispheres, the Winter Solstice falls in Capricorn, the sign representing deepest materialism! The date of Winter Solstice 2020 is 21 st December 2020, Monday at 10.02 hours UTC. During the dark, cold days of winter, our ancient Ancestors brought evergreens into their homes to symbolize hope and a reminder of the renewal of the springtime to come. Before getting in to the specifics, it's helpful to understand what the technical meaning of Winter Solstice is. 1. The actual date of the winter solstice differs from year to year, and can occur any day between December 20 and December 23, though it mostly falls on 21 st or 22 nd of December. Since the night hours will only get shorter after that point, Yuletide represents the rebirth of the Sun God. What is the symbolic meaning of autumn? Christmas Tree Meaning. Overlooking North Portland … The spiritual meaning of April is intrinsically linked to its symbols. Winter solstice traditions, meaning and rituals for the shortest day of the year. This is a time to ice skate through winter whites as a means of gaining purity and clarification. Andre Gallant / Image Bank / Getty Images. It involved a ceremony in which an Inca priest would “tie” the sun to a column stone in a symbolic effort to keep it from escaping. Further in this post, you will find Eastern Time as well. The birthstone of the fourth month of the year is the most precious of all: the diamond. Many trees and plants were traditionally important to the celebration of the winter solstice (on December 21). Many of these holidays celebrate light literally, but for many, there is also the symbolic meaning of light ~ Wisdom. Yule, otherwise known as the Winter Solstice, is a pagan holiday that marks the longest night of the year. Getty Images. Same delicacy with different names! The winter solstice, which occurs on or around Dec. 21 (in the northern hemisphere), is the first day of winter. It's also the shortest day and the longest night of the year. Let’s take a look at Yule, and seven plants that often correspond with the season. Yule, the winter solstice, falls around December 20 – 22 in the northern hemisphere, and near June 20 – 22 if you live below the equator. Winter Solstice holidays have been with us for thousands of years, begun at the dawn of agriculture among people who depended upon the return of the sun. In astrology, it's a date with great meaning. Why is 2017's solstice significant? In essence, it is the symbolic end of the cold and dark winter and the return of light. In a culture obsessed with looking to the future and setting resolutions for the upcoming New Year, the Winter Solstice can be a wonderful time for reflecting on the past year. This period is symbolic of the biblical story of the prodigal son, who leaves his father’s home, and totally indulges his desires, is totally immersed in materialism. The winter and the world in the darkness have a deep symbolic meaning to Masons. The Winter Solstice is associated to numerous spiritual meanings, making it so much more than just the year’s shortest day. Winter Solstice Traditions and Festivals. For many in the Northern Hemisphere the Winter Solstice heralds a future featuring long, cold, dark months. Journal & Sharing Prompts. So to understand what it is and to fully observe it with the greatest intensity and honor, let’s start with a few snippets of the more vast and full meaning of Yule. The winter solstice of that year (Dec. 21, 2012) corresponded to the date 13.0.0.0.0 on the Mesoamerican Long Count calendar and was the end of a 5126-year cycle. There is a saying about Chinese winter solstice, that is, when a person eats Tang Yuán on Dong Zhì, s/he is one year older. During this day, the path of the Sun in the sky is the shortest and the lowest on the horizon. Take your journey hand-in-hand with Nature by knowing the (general) dates of the equinox and solstices. Winter Solstice or December Solsticemostly happens on December 21 or 22. The most important thing is the meaning you bring to it. A winter solstice celebration in Canada. The winter solstice is the longest night of the year that marks the beginning of the winter period. In other words, a perfect time to ride your bike! But there is a much longer and deeper answer. This largely observed astronomical phenomenon is also known as December Solstice which marks the shortest day and the longest night of the year. So the period from Winter Solstice to Vernal Equinox represents youth, the period from the Vernal Equinox to the Summer Solstice represents young adulthood, the period from the Summer Solstice to the Autumnal Equinox represents middle age, and the period from the Autumnal Equinox to the Winter Solstice represents old age. After the Winter Solstice, each day becomes longer until the longest day of the year arrives around June 21st. Learn more about their symbolic meaning. It represents a turning point in the year, just as marriage represents a turning point in your lives, and since the holiday season is meant to be joyous it can be a very happy time for a wedding!

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