Winter Solstice – an Eternal Cycle

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Last night was the winter solstice, also known as Yule, Yul, or Midwinter, which marks one of the most magical moments of the year: the moment when the longest night is over, and the light slowly returns.

This special time has a deep connection to nature and to our ancestors who lived in harmony with the seasons. They realized that after darkness always comes light—an eternal cycle that symbolizes hope and new beginnings.

In the Norse traditions of Yule, the great mother goddess is symbolic of the darkness that gives birth to the Sun King. A fascinating parallel to this is the Christian story in which Mary gives birth to Jesus, the “light of the world” – proof of how universal the significance of this season is. We, humans, have invented (or believed) different stories for the same events of nature in different places in the world for thousands and thousands of years, and that connects us.

The winter solstice fire/Yule fire was one of the most important rituals. A large fire was lit to celebrate the return of the sun and dispel the darkness. This fire symbolized purification and hope. The sparks were often interpreted as a blessing for fertility and prosperity in the coming year. Often, a blessed large log was placed on the fire, the Yule log, and with the remaining ashes, the fields were later blessed.

The Wonderful Christmas Tree

The custom of bringing an evergreen tree into the house also dates back to the winter solstice. Evergreen plants such as fir or juniper were considered a sign of life in the middle of winter. Only the people who lived in forests in areas of what is now Central Europe would not have cut down a tree, because trees had something sacred about them. If you are surrounded by it, you don’t need “another one” in the living room; instead, individual branches were brought into the house. Where I come from (Austria/South Tyrol), we cut a branch on St. Barbara’s day, December 4th, and bring it into the warm house. If the branch blooms by Christmas, it means hope, good fortune, and new life. The tradition of our current Christmas tree is only 300 years old, a rather ‘new’ practice compared with all the old rituals.

In many customs, the winter solstice is full of silence and magic, and is considered a threshold time in which oracles were consulted, dreams were interpreted, and the old was let go to make room for the new.

Rituals for the winter solstice

To consciously experience the quality of the winter solstice, you can create a simple but powerful ritual in which you can incorporate the elements of the winter solstice. Evergreen branches, light, darkness, end, and new beginnings. You can perform these rituals alone or with your loved ones. It doesn’t take much time, but stillness, awareness, and the willingness to pause.

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I am comfortable in the darkness; it’s rooted in my childhood. You can hide in the darkness; they can’t see you. It’s a safe space. Even now, as an elderly adult, I prefer the dark or soft, dimmed light over bright lights. (WTH when did I become elderly?)

Connect to the darkness

Turn off all the light sources in your room and sit in complete darkness for a few moments. Allow yourself to feel the calm and protection of darkness.

Light a candle
When you’re ready, light a candle, feel the light illuminate the darkness, and let it remind you of hope and new beginnings.

Set an intention
Ask yourself: What do you want to bring out of the darkness and into the light in the coming year? What goal or vision do you want the light to show you on your way?
Envision your home, the places where there have been arguments or sadness, and consciously free yourself of things that you want to let go of. Make room in the dark nights to receive the magic of the Raun nights for the next year.

Let the light in!