At the winter solstice, the earth stands still for a brief moment. This energy gives us the opportunity to pause, look inwards and reflect on ourselves.
When is the winter solstice?
The winter solstice takes place in December in the northern hemisphere and in June in the southern hemisphere. The days vary from year to year between 20 and 22 December. This year (2024) we have the longest night of the year on 21 December.
Winter solstice and Christianity
Das Christentum hat viele Bräuche und Traditionen von alten Stämmen wie den Germanen, Kelten etc. übernommen. Nur so konnten die damaligen Machthaber ihren Machtanspruch durchsetzen und die „Heiden“ zum neuen Glauben bekehren.
The winter solstice was one of the most important festivals of the year for our ancestors. The sun god was also worshipped at this time in Ancient Rome. It symbolised the birth of light. The winter solstice was thus transformed into Christmas and the birth of light was transformed into the birth of Jesus Christ.
Winter solstice and its significance in the world
The winter solstice was and still is a special festival around the world.
Many monuments and ritual sites, such as the pyramids in Egypt, stone circles and the famous STONENEHNGE in England are exactly aligned with the sun at the winter solstice.
Die amerikanischen Ureinwohner feierten die Wintersonnenwende ebenso wie die Stämme in Europa. Auch in den asiatischen Ländern gilt die Wintersonnenwende als eine Zeit zum Feiern. Im alten China gab es das Sprichwort: „Die Wintersonnenwende ist genauso bedeutend wie das Frühlingsfest“.
What do nuts have to do with Christmas and the winter solstice?
Nuts are very popular at Christmas time. But where does this custom, which is not only found in our neighbourhoods, come from?
Nuts symbolise the feminine power of Mother Earth. In winter, life energy and vitality begin to decline. The nutrient content of nuts was particularly important in earlier times to get through the winter well. According to traditional Chinese medicine, nuts are important for strengthening the kidneys, heart and brain.
Peanuts, walnuts, chestnuts, hazelnuts and almonds are not only found on our Christmas plates, but nuts are also highly valued in China and other countries at this time of year.
What rituals are performed on the winter solstice?
The winter solstice marks the rebirth of light! It is the longest night of the year and gradually brings us back the light.
In the Celtic annual cycle the winter solstice symbolises a new beginning. Preparations and plans are now being made for the new year. It's about designing something new, letting go of the old and creating something new.
Welcoming the light and the new
With a ritual you can consciously invite the light and the new into your life:
- decorate your home with fir branches, flowers, nuts etc., create an altar of light
- überlege Dir, welches neue „Baby“ Du in Deinem Leben willkommen heißen möchtest, lege es symbolisch auf Deinen Altar
- Open yourself to everything new that is waiting for you. Let your fears pass and hand them over to the darkest night of the year
- The wreath symbolises the cycle of life and the annual cycle. Tie a wreath made of natural materials and consciously weave in light and beauty. You can also make a circle with stones. Decorate this stone circle with healing stones, apples, nuts, feathers etc.
- am Morgen der Sonnenwende das Licht der neuen Sonne begrüßen (singen, beten, Yoga, Qi Gong…)
- Go out into nature on the evening of the winter solstice, take a walk in the forest. Connect with nature and its creatures
- Light a candle and support your intentions and mental intentions with incense. Dammar, mugwort, juniper, myrrh, mistletoe and frankincense are particularly suitable for this purpose
- If you have the opportunity to make a ritual fire, light it with the intention of giving birth to something new. Burn everything old in the ritual fire and welcome the new
You can find more interesting information about the winter solstice in Wolf-Dieter Storl's blog article:
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