The Winter Solstice, also known as Yule, is a sacred time for many Pagan traditions. It marks the shortest day and longest night of the year, symbolizing the return of the sun and the rebirth of light. During this time, Pagan communities come together to celebrate and honor the turning of the wheel of the year. One significant aspect of the Winter Solstice celebrations is music and song. Pagan Winter Solstice songs reflect the themes of the season and the rituals performed during this time. These songs often capture the spirit of joy, hope, and renewal that comes with the return of the sun.
We light the fire to greet the Son,
Our Light! Our Life! Our King!
Let e – very voice sing his praise,
As Heaven and Na – ture sing,
As Heaven and Na – ture sing,
As Heaven, as Heaven and Na – ture sing.
I added it to the mix because I love The Mediaeval Baebes and this is a very deep piece so full of meaning and different from a lot of what is played on the radio at this time of year. No Winter Solstice playlist is complete without it, especially if you have Christian family members and or are trying to reconcile your new beliefs with your old.
These songs often capture the spirit of joy, hope, and renewal that comes with the return of the sun. One popular Pagan Winter Solstice song is "The Holly and the Ivy." This traditional English carol dates back to the 18th century and is still sung by Pagans today.
Playlist for the Wheel of the Year: Winter Solstice
Over the years, I have created rituals to celebrate the Wheel of the Year with my wife and children. Music has been an essential part of the experience. Without it, it would be much more difficult to create the sense of sacred time and space and to evoke the experience I desire for each ritual. So I want to share with you my playlist for each station on the Wheel of Year. Here’s the last list. Enjoy! And share your suggestions in the comments below.
Winter Solstice / Yule
Mythologically, at Yule, the Holly King, representing darkness, still reigns, but he begins his decline, as the Oak King, representing light, begins his ascent. The Goddess returns from the Underworld. She travails and bears her Son, the Sun Child. The Goddess’ ascent from the tomb mirrors the coming forth of the Sun Child from the darkness of her womb. The Goddess then takes on her Crone (old woman) aspect, for a season of repose.
“Solstice Prayer” chant by Thorn Coyle
We wait in the dark for the light to appear,
Mother, give birth to our brother the Sun.
We wait in the dark for the light to appear,
Mother, give birth to our brother the Sun!
We wait. We watch.
Out of the cold comes the promise of newness.
We wait. We watch.
Out of the cold comes the promise of day!
“Winter Solstice Chant” by Phillip Palmer (UU Hymn 1063)
Child – ren of the Earth, _____
we have come to sing to each oth – er,
Sist – er to Broth – er,
songs of our Moth – er Earth.
Children of the Earth _____
Autumn soon will breathe her last breath and
quick will hear death bear
witness to Winter’s Birth.
Children of the Earth _____
can you feel the air getting cold as
darkness takes hold and
sleep covers Mother Earth?
Children of the Earth _____
we have come to sit in the dakrness,
breathe in the silence,
think of our Mother Earth.
“Pagan Silent Night” (UU Hymn 251) adapted by Ellen Reed
Si – lent night, Sol – stice Night
All is calm, gone is light
Na- ture slum – bers in for – est and glen
Till in Spring – time She wakens a – gain
Sleep – ing spir – its grow strong!
Sleep – ing spir – its grow strong!
Si – lent night, Sol – stice Night
Sil – ver moon shin – ing bright
Snow – fall blank – ets the slum – ber – ing Earth
Yule fires wel – come the Sun’s re – birth
Hark, the Light is re – born!
Hark, the Light is re – born!
Si – lent night, Sol – stice Night
Qui – et rest till the Light
Turn – ing ev – er the roll – ing Wheel
Brings the win – ter to com – fort and heal
Rest your spir – it in peace!
Rest your spir – it in peace!
“Pagan Joy to the World” (UU Hymn 245) (adapted)
Joy to the world! The Lord is come!
Let Earth re- ceive her king!
Let e – very heart pre – pare them room
And Heaven and Na – ture sing,
And Heaven and Na – ture sing,
And Heaven, and Heaven, and Na – ture sing.
Wel – come our King who brings us life.
Our La- dy gives him birth!
His liv – ing light warms the seeds,
And wakes the sleep – ing earth,
And wakes the sleep – ing earth,
And wakes, and wakes the sleep – ing earth.
We light the fire to greet the Son,
Our Light! Our Life! Our King!
Let e – very voice sing his praise,
As Heaven and Na – ture sing,
As Heaven and Na – ture sing,
As Heaven, as Heaven and Na – ture sing.
Si – lent night, Sol – stice Night
All is calm, gone is light
Na- ture slum – bers in for – est and glen
Till in Spring – time She wakens a – gain
Sleep – ing spir – its grow strong!
Sleep – ing spir – its grow strong!
It celebrates the evergreen holly and ivy, which are symbols of immortality and rebirth during the winter months. Another well-known Pagan Winter Solstice song is "Deck the Halls." While it is commonly associated with Christmas celebrations, its origins can be traced back to ancient Pagan traditions. The song speaks of decking the halls with boughs of holly and encourages merriment and joy during the winter season. The lyrics of Pagan Winter Solstice songs often draw inspiration from the natural world. The changing of the seasons, the cycles of the moon, and the elements all play a significant role in these songs. They highlight the connection between nature and spirituality, reminding us of the importance of honoring and respecting the earth. Pagan Winter Solstice songs are not only sung during organized rituals and gatherings but can also be heard in homes and communities as people celebrate the solstice in their own unique ways. They bring people together, fostering a sense of unity and shared experience during this sacred time. In conclusion, Pagan Winter Solstice songs hold deep meaning and significance for those who celebrate this sacred time. They capture the spirit of the season, celebrating the return of light and the cycles of nature. Through music and song, Pagans connect with their spirituality, their community, and the natural world around them..
Reviews for "Honoring Ancestral Wisdom: Traditional Pagan Winter Solstice Songs"
1. Leah - 2 stars - I was really looking forward to finding some new winter solstice songs, but "Pagan winter solstice songs" just didn't do it for me. The songs felt disorganized and lacking any real melody or catchiness. I couldn't connect with the lyrics and found myself feeling bored and uninterested throughout the album. Overall, I was disappointed and wouldn't recommend it to those looking for enjoyable winter solstice songs.
2. Michael - 3 stars - While I appreciated the effort to capture the essence of a pagan winter solstice celebration, this album just didn't hit the mark for me. The songs lacked cohesion and there were several instances where the vocals felt strained and off-key. The overall production also left much to be desired, with a muddy sound that made it difficult to fully appreciate the instrumental arrangements. While there were a few songs that showed promise, most fell flat and failed to create the magical atmosphere I was hoping for.
3. Sarah - 2 stars - "Pagan winter solstice songs" was not what I expected at all. As someone who enjoys exploring different genres and musical traditions, I was intrigued by the concept of pagan-inspired winter solstice songs. However, the execution fell short. The melodies were monotonous and lacked creativity, while the lyrics felt repetitive and lacked depth. I also found the vocal performances to be lackluster, failing to evoke any emotion or connection. Overall, I was disappointed and would recommend exploring other options for winter solstice music.
4. Alex - 2 stars - As a fan of winter solstice music and pagan themes, I was excited to discover "Pagan winter solstice songs". However, the album left much to be desired. The songs lacked originality and failed to capture the essence of pagan winter traditions. The vocal performances were uninspiring and the instrumentals felt flat and unmemorable. It felt like a missed opportunity to create something truly special and evocative. I would not recommend this album to anyone looking for an authentic and engaging winter solstice experience.