How are you celebrating?
2006-12-21 12:29:11 · 16 answers · asked by annievee 2 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
I celebrate the Winter Solstice more than the Summer one, mostly because the days are now about to lengthen, lifting the darkness! I think that could have been what started it all, in ancient times, when people were weary of the dark and cold, so they brought warmth, light and celebration into their homes. We put up a tree, have a feast and lights, and occasionally join local pagan groups who have bonfires (much fun!). But here's a LOT more to it than that...
According to one site about the winter solstice : "Strengthen bonds with family and friends by visiting and/or exchanging gifts and greetings. Decorate your home with lights, greens, and holiday colors. Bless your home with a Yule wreath on your front door and sprigs of mistletoe inside. If you are part of a group, take up a collection of food and/or clothing at your Yule gathering and give what you collected to a social service agency to distribute to the needy. Place sunflower seeds outside for wild birds to feast upon. Greet the Sun at dawn on Solstice morning by ringing bells. Do magic for a more peaceful planet." (1)
I don't know about the magic part, but the other stuff is fairly common already!
2006-12-21 12:44:49 · answer #1 · answered by Gwynneth Of Olwen 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
This is my first time celebrating the winter solstice (Yule). I'm just going to light some candles and think about what the solstice means. Next year I'll probably do something a little more extravagant because I'll have more knowledge about pagan holidays (I call them celidays) and the solstice. I don't really know how to celebrate it yet, though. Next year it will have more significance to me because I'll know more.
2006-12-21 12:37:03 · answer #2 · answered by Death.Note.fan 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Aren't Christians in an inderect way celebrating winter solstice? The church decreed Christmas in December becasue they wanted to "bless" the pagan holidays which they consider immoral. So in a way, we are all celebrating winter solstice.
2006-12-21 12:34:26 · answer #3 · answered by cynical 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Yes, we are celebrating by lighting having a small ritual with a lot of candles, and having some good food, and family, exchange a few gifts. And reading a couple of Yule stories to my son and baby brother. Earlier in the week we had a pagan community gathering that was very fun.
2006-12-21 12:39:27 · answer #4 · answered by paganrosemama 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
No, but they should. Check festivals in Estonia and Latvia. They held onto some of their pagan rituals. How would one celebrate winter solstice, anyway? A giant bonfire, maybe burn some Christians or something.
2006-12-21 12:32:16 · answer #5 · answered by TruBlevr 2 · 1⤊ 1⤋
We will be gathering with friends tomorrow night. Ritual and then feasting. It is my 7th anniversary and always an extra special night for us.
Happy Yule to all of you and the Brightest of Blessings on this sacred night. The night may be long, but the sun is being reborn and the light shall return to us. Soon, the flowers will be blooming and we will have survived another darkness.
The circle is never broken.
2006-12-21 14:47:41 · answer #6 · answered by Ruairi 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I have taken the day off from work at times over the years. At one time I attended a horseshoe pitching game. I meditate on the brief span of life, the shortness of day and the cycle of nature.
I must admit to watching football tonight.
2006-12-21 12:41:53 · answer #7 · answered by david42 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
As a universal Wiccan I celebrate what enthuses me and I enjoy, so I condemn none to having a great time with friends and family. Love is what holidays are supposed to be about, so who cares what religion you are if you love the people, that's all that matters. Oh and I love being kissed under mistletoe ;) I also love hot chocolate with whipped cream, and hot gluhwein. mmmmmmmyyyyyyy HAPPY WHATEVER YOU WISH TO CALL IT TO YOU ALL!!! ;)
2016-05-23 08:46:34 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Pagans...oh man...my take is...if your going to pick a religion you might as well pick a mainstream one and have a couple of million pals who "got your back"....I am happy being a heathen...but happy winter solstice to you!!! :)
2006-12-21 12:33:54 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 1⤋
My boyfriend and I are going to hike up the canyon and light a Yule log. It should be pretty with the firelight and the snow.
2006-12-21 12:42:32 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋