WINTER SOLSTICE and YULETIDE.

Christmas time with all its sparkle and glitter is now definitely upon us.
However, there is a far older celebration from which many of our contemporary traditions originate.

Since the dawn of time the festivals of the Winter Solstice and Yuletide have been a time of ritual and celebration.
Yuletide was a 12 day midwinter festival  that began on the day of the Winter Solstice.
In ancient Latin the word Solstice literally means 'sun stand still'.

It was an important time not least because communities could not be certain that they would survive the winter. Starvation was common and life expectancy short.
Once the sun had gone down, and fearing that it may not return, neighbours would come together in the spirit of goodwill and celebration in an attempt to ensure that the sun was reborn.
With fire being the only light available to them in the darkness of winter, they would burn a huge log for the whole 12 days, retaining a precious portion to start the log burning ceremony with the following year.
This was believed to guarantee return of sunlight bringing with it hope for an abundant and plentiful harvest.
Mistletoe, Ivy and Holly were held in great reverence, and considered to have mystical properties.

In astronomy this is the time when the earths orbit tilts away from the sun bringing the colder days of winter.
With each passing day after the Winter Solstice the earth begins to tilt back to face the sun again, signally the return of Spring.
The Winter Solstice, or the shortest day, is the turning point when the days begin to grow longer and lighter, the rebirth of sunlight as the dark wanes and the sun waxes.

Interestingly, many of our Christmas traditions can be traced back to these ancient times....
the twelve days of Christmas, the Yule log, candles and tree lights, holly, ivy, mistletoe and, of course, feasting and partying!

And, while it may be a time yet before the Winter passes, it will pass and the sunshine will return.

So, whatever you are doing and whoever you are spending it with,
I wish for you all a warm, plentiful and peaceful Winter Solstice and Yuletide...

.... AND THE HAPPIEST CHRISTMAS EVER, FILLED TO THE BRIM WITH JOY, LOVE AND MORE LAUGHTER THAN YOU KNOW WHAT TO DO WITH!!  XXXXX