My husband was born on the winter solstice (December 21), the shortest day of the year. He responds to those who remark on this fact with, “Yes, but it is the longest night… and that can be a good thing!” I dated two other men before marrying my husband; one born on the spring equinox and the other on the summer solstice. It seems I am drawn to men on the cusp.
The date of the winter solstice has changed through the centuries due to the adoption of different calendars and of course in the southern hemisphere it is celebrated in June, not December. It seems since early civilization every culture has recognized the importance of this day. In temperate climates it was often a last celebration before the harsh winter months began. The cattle were slaughtered so they would not have to be fed during the winter and the beer and wine of the year had fermented and were finally ready for drinking.
In northern climates the shortening of the days and lack of sunlight causes an increase of melatonin in the body, resulting in longer sleep. The lack of sunlight can cause depressive effects that we quite appropriately call Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD). We now know that exercise, light therapy and increased negative ion exposure (obtained from plants, burning wood or beeswax) can help reverse the winter blues by increasing serotonin levels. Though they didn’t have this scientific knowledge centuries ago, midwinter celebrations often called for evergreens, bright illumination, fires, and physical exercise in the form of dancing and singing.
Because of the reversal of the shortening of the days and reappearance of the sun, the winter solstice has traditionally been a celebration of rebirth. In the East Asian Culture, the Dongzhi Festival is one of the most important celebrations of the year, its history traced back to the yin and yang theory of balance and harmony in the cosmos. In Aegean civilizations, Lenaea was an exclusively female solstice ritual called the Festival of the Wild Women. Other celebrations have included Amaterasu (Japan), Choimus (Pakistan), Lucia (Scandanavia), Makara Sankranti (India/Nepal),Yalda (Iran), Şeva Zistanê (Kurdish), Yule (Viking Age), Inti Raymi (Inca), Jonkanoo (West Africa), etc.
But of course one of the most popular and globally recognized midwinter celebrations of birth is the Christian celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ, Christmas. It is observed on December 25th, which was the Roman winter solstice upon establishment of the Julian Calendar.
Much has been made of the Mayan calendar ending on December 21, 2012. Hollywood has jumped on the doomsday bandwagon with the movie, "2012". However, the Mayans traditionally celebrated the solstice as a new beginning and according to Mayan historians, the end of the Mayan calendar simply means it is time to figuratively flip the page and begin a new cycle- a time to celebrate another new beginning!
So, though rituals and observations vary around the world and through time, this has universally been a traditional time of celebration, a recognition of new beginnings. And that is the way I certainly choose to look at it. The past year has been a challenging one for our family but I am ready to dance and sing, eat great food and drink some wine.
Happy Birthday, my love!
The date of the winter solstice has changed through the centuries due to the adoption of different calendars and of course in the southern hemisphere it is celebrated in June, not December. It seems since early civilization every culture has recognized the importance of this day. In temperate climates it was often a last celebration before the harsh winter months began. The cattle were slaughtered so they would not have to be fed during the winter and the beer and wine of the year had fermented and were finally ready for drinking.
In northern climates the shortening of the days and lack of sunlight causes an increase of melatonin in the body, resulting in longer sleep. The lack of sunlight can cause depressive effects that we quite appropriately call Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD). We now know that exercise, light therapy and increased negative ion exposure (obtained from plants, burning wood or beeswax) can help reverse the winter blues by increasing serotonin levels. Though they didn’t have this scientific knowledge centuries ago, midwinter celebrations often called for evergreens, bright illumination, fires, and physical exercise in the form of dancing and singing.
Because of the reversal of the shortening of the days and reappearance of the sun, the winter solstice has traditionally been a celebration of rebirth. In the East Asian Culture, the Dongzhi Festival is one of the most important celebrations of the year, its history traced back to the yin and yang theory of balance and harmony in the cosmos. In Aegean civilizations, Lenaea was an exclusively female solstice ritual called the Festival of the Wild Women. Other celebrations have included Amaterasu (Japan), Choimus (Pakistan), Lucia (Scandanavia), Makara Sankranti (India/Nepal),Yalda (Iran), Şeva Zistanê (Kurdish), Yule (Viking Age), Inti Raymi (Inca), Jonkanoo (West Africa), etc.
But of course one of the most popular and globally recognized midwinter celebrations of birth is the Christian celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ, Christmas. It is observed on December 25th, which was the Roman winter solstice upon establishment of the Julian Calendar.
Much has been made of the Mayan calendar ending on December 21, 2012. Hollywood has jumped on the doomsday bandwagon with the movie, "2012". However, the Mayans traditionally celebrated the solstice as a new beginning and according to Mayan historians, the end of the Mayan calendar simply means it is time to figuratively flip the page and begin a new cycle- a time to celebrate another new beginning!
So, though rituals and observations vary around the world and through time, this has universally been a traditional time of celebration, a recognition of new beginnings. And that is the way I certainly choose to look at it. The past year has been a challenging one for our family but I am ready to dance and sing, eat great food and drink some wine.
Happy Birthday, my love!
Hi Vicki -- I used to live in your Kelly Lake house. Found you and your lovely photos on I Love Kelly Lake fb.
ReplyDeleteSounds like you and Buzz have been on quite a journey this last year. I wish the very best for you in 2010.
I'll come back to visit this blog when I have more time to read the posts.
donna