Celebrate the Winter Solstice
There are so many things we are celebrating this time of year that require us to shop, cook, travel, dress up, etc. This week, take a breath and celebrate the return of light after the longest night of the year -- the winter solstice. It's a great time to take a walk, connect with nature, and let the stress of the holiday season dissipate. We have asked Andrea Laszlo, Forest Bathing Guide and GE resident, to step in this week to teach us a little bit about the winter solstice.
Andrea will join Go Green on Friday night 12/20 for a Solstice Walk around Lake Ellyn, and a communal hot beverage afterward.
LEARN
by Andrea Laszlo
For those of us in the Northern Hemisphere, December 21 marks this year’s winter solstice. The winter solstice marks the shortest day and longest night of the year, and happens when the Earth’s axis tilts the farthest away from the sun.
Cultures from around the world have celebrated the return of light in a variety of ways. Some winter solstice traditions from the past and present include:
Eating pomegranates and reading poetry (Iran)
Wearing lighted candle wreaths and singing traditional songs (Sweden)
Gift giving, dancing, and storytelling ( Native American Hopi tribe)
A hot bath with oranges or yuzu (Japan)
Climbing to the top of a 50 foot tall pole and performing risky dances to flute and drums (Guatemala)
Eating hearty meals (pretty much everyone!)
How did some of these traditions begin? I think one thing people were seeking was a sense of hope. For ancient cultures that struggled to survive during harsh winters, the uncertainty of darkening skies and fallow soil was frightening. They did not have electricity or grocery stores, nor did they know about the rotation of the Earth and Sun. This time of year likely made people feel quite vulnerable. This highlights our shared humanity with other beings past, present and future.
DO
We all need light, warmth and food....and hope!
What are some hopeful practices we can do this winter solstice?
Try a new winter walk, such as a path at The Morton Arboretum or St. James Farm. We are fortunate to have so many forest preserves around us. And if you bundle up and walk briskly, you won’t even notice the cold.
Try one of the above cultural traditions with your family, and perhaps read a little more about that culture’s winter solstice practices (see below). However, climbing a 50 foot pole and dancing would be at your own risk!
Have a cozy indoor day/evening with a warm drinks bar (hot chocolate, hot cider, warm teas) and treats…read some good books, watch a favorite holiday movie, and play some games.
Gather around a candle or fireplace to share memories from 2024, and share a hope for 2025.
Resources:
Winter solstice around the world (NPR)
Winter solstice Nature Study
Winter solstice homeschooling ideas
Autism winter solstice ideas
