The pagan celebration of light is a time-honored tradition that dates back centuries. It is a joyful and sacred time when pagans come together to honor and celebrate the light in the world and in their lives. At its core, the pagan celebration of light is a recognition and appreciation of the importance and power of light in our lives. Light symbolizes positivity, warmth, clarity, and enlightenment. It is a source of life and growth, both literally and metaphorically. One of the most well-known pagan celebrations of light is the winter solstice, which usually occurs around December 21st in the northern hemisphere.
The tradition involves lighting bonfires and singing traditional Celtic folk songs to mark the arrival of spring.
The Winter Solstice, a pagan celebration also known as Yule from the nordic word for circle or wheel, symbol of the sun occurs on the shortest day, December 21, in anticipation of the lengthening rays of the sun, and has been honored from the time of the Romans to modern druids. The Winter Solstice, a pagan celebration also known as Yule from the nordic word for circle or wheel, symbol of the sun occurs on the shortest day, December 21, in anticipation of the lengthening rays of the sun, and has been honored from the time of the Romans to modern druids.
One of the most well-known pagan celebrations of light is the winter solstice, which usually occurs around December 21st in the northern hemisphere. This is the shortest day of the year and marks the beginning of winter. Pagans believe that on this day, the earth is at its most fertile and that the return of the sun's light will bring about a new cycle of growth and abundance.
Celebrations of light
Samuel Palmer. The Harvest Moon. c. 1833. Image and data from the Yale Center for British Art, Paul Mellon Collection.
As the strength of the sun wanes in the fall, our festivities and rites tend to be centered on the elements of fire and light — natural, divine, and synthetic. It is no accident that many of our brightest celebrations light up our darkest months. Below, we have selected some images that collectively exalt the power of light to animate our revels.
North Indian, Uttar Pradesh. Ladies celebrating Diwali. C. 1760. Image and data from The Cleveland Museum of Art. India, Punjab Hills, Kangra. Lady holding a sparkler. C. 1800. Image and data from the Metropolitan Museum of Art, Free Reuse (CC0). Chanukkah lamp (menorah). Late 19th century. Image and data from Erich Lessing Culture and Fine Arts Archives/ART RESOURCE, N.Y.
Joseph ha-Zarefati. Menorah Flanked by Olive Trees. 1300. Image and data from the Archive for Research on Archetypal Symbolism.
In many cultures the demise of the sunniest season is marked by the glow of the autumn moon and the celebration of the bounty of the fall harvest, kicking off the season of light. Harvest Moon, c. 1833 by the English painter Samuel Palmer is bathed in a lunar glow so bright that the reapers gather their crops by night. The celebration of Diwali (festival of lights) signifying the triumph of good over evil — exemplified by Hindu deities and other traditions of southeast Asia — begins as the last harvest is made in October and November. The magical golden light of fireworks, lamps, and candles, as shown in the sparkling watercolor from Uttar Pradesh, c. 1760, ignites the darkness of the blackened sky.
Hanukkah, celebrated by the Jews between late November and through December, was also associated with the harvest, but its deeper meaning comes from the victory of the Maccabees over the Seleucid king Antiochus. The triumph is also celebrated as light overcoming darkness in the form of the menorah, shown here in a silver version and in a Spanish medieval manuscript illustration. The menorah stands for the miraculous regeneration of the oil that the Maccabees used to fire their menorah when they had reclaimed their Temple.
Tom Pilston. Dawn on the winter solstice at Stonehenge in Wiltshire… 22/12/07. Image and data © Tom Pilston / Panos Pictures. Matthias Grünewald. Isenheim Altarpiece (open): center panel. c. 1515. Image and data from Erich Lessing Culture and Fine Arts Archives/ART RESOURCE, N.Y. Chris Steele-Perkins. JAPAN. Tokyo. Christmas decorations. 1997… Image and data © Chris Steele-Perkins / Magnum Photos.
Bob Gore. Woman with gourd, Kwanzaa Celebration. 12/9/2006. Image and data from Bob Gore.
The Winter Solstice, a pagan celebration also known as Yule (from the nordic word for circle or wheel, symbol of the sun) occurs on the shortest day, December 21, in anticipation of the lengthening rays of the sun, and has been honored from the time of the Romans to modern druids. In a photograph of 2007 by Thomas Pilston, the glowing dawn is fugitive but it heralds the return of the sun as it will slowly reclaim the days. Christmas, which inherits many traditions of Yule, follows on December 25, marking the day of the birth of Christ. A spiritual fire suffuses the nativity scene from Matthias Grünewald’s Isenheim altarpiece, c. 1515, while divine light is eclipsed by the electric glow of Rudolph in a contemporary photograph by Chris Steele-Perkins.
Kwanzaa, celebrated by people of African descent in America, comes from the Swahili for “first” and it also relates to the harvest, albeit its earliest rather than latest fruits. From December 26 to January 1, the holiday feasting and gathering are enjoyed with the lighting of the kinara (candle holder) and the mishumaa saba (seven candles) at the symbolic center. A photograph by Bob Gore, 2006, features a woman in a Kwanzaa performance.
Ichiryusai Hiroshige. Fox Fires on New Year’s Eve at the Enoki Tree, Oji. 1857. 1857. Image and data from The Minneapolis Institute of Art. Utagawa Hiroshige. New Year’s Sunrise after Snow at Susaki. c. 1831. Image and data from The Metropolitan Museum of Art, Free Reuse (CC0).
In Japan, prior to 1873 when January 1 was adopted as new year’s day, the celebration followed iterations of the lunisolar calendar, beginning in late January, as in China, and was often highlighted by spectacular fireworks. Natural and spiritual displays of light also animate the woodblock prints that celebrate the season. The magical vision of Utagawa Hiroshige in a print from the One Hundred Famous Views of Edo, 1856-1858, presents the spectacle of the glowing firefoxes of New Year’s Eve. Each fox in the foreground appears to breathe a little fire (kitsunebi) while dozens more approach with tiny dots of flame — the number of fires would foretell the upcoming rice harvest. In Utagawa’s New Year’s Sunrise, c. 1831, the dawn overtakes the night, announcing the day and the year with a clear, serene light.
May your celebrations sparkle and your new year be bright.
– Nancy Minty, collections editor
Collections in JSTOR
She has been praised by Christians for successfully warding off pests, illness and witchcraft.
During the winter solstice celebration, pagans gather around bonfires and candles to honor the sun and welcome its return. They engage in various rituals and activities that are meant to symbolize the triumph of light over darkness. Some pagans also decorate their homes and altars with evergreen plants and other symbols of life and renewal. The pagan celebration of light is not limited to the winter solstice, however. Light is celebrated and honored throughout the year, particularly during other solar events such as the equinoxes and other seasonal festivals. Additionally, lighting candles and offering prayers or blessings to the light is a common practice in pagan rituals and ceremonies. While the pagan celebration of light may have its roots in ancient traditions, it continues to be relevant and meaningful to modern-day pagans. In a world that can sometimes feel dark and uncertain, pagans find solace and inspiration in the symbolism of the light. It serves as a reminder that there is always hope and that positivity can prevail even in the most challenging of times. In conclusion, the pagan celebration of light is a cherished and significant aspect of pagan spirituality. It is a time to honor and celebrate the power and importance of light in our lives, as well as to embrace the hope and positivity it represents. Whether it is during the winter solstice or other solar events, pagans gather together to welcome the light and to embrace its transformative energy..
Reviews for "Pagan Light Festivals: Embracing Darkness and Honoring the Light Within"
1. John - 1 star
I was highly disappointed with "Pagan Celebration of Light." The storyline felt completely disjointed and confusing, making it hard to stay engaged. The characters lacked depth and development, leaving them feeling one-dimensional and unrelatable. Additionally, the writing style was overly descriptive and verbose, making it difficult to follow along with the plot. Overall, I found this book to be a frustrating and tedious read.
2. Sarah - 2 stars
"Pagan Celebration of Light" had an interesting concept, but it fell flat for me. The pacing was slow, and there were too many unnecessary subplots that didn't add value to the overall story. The dialogue felt forced and unnatural, making it hard to connect with the characters. Furthermore, the book lacked proper editing, with numerous grammatical and spelling errors throughout. While I appreciate the attempt to explore pagan traditions, I feel that the execution was lacking, and it didn't live up to my expectations.
3. Michael - 2 stars
I found "Pagan Celebration of Light" to be a confusing and convoluted read. The storyline lacked clear direction, leaving me unsure of where the plot was heading. The writing style was overly flowery, making it hard to grasp the main points. Additionally, the characters felt underdeveloped, making it difficult to connect with them on any level. While I appreciate the attempt to incorporate pagan traditions into the story, I felt that it was done in a superficial manner, without offering any real depth or understanding. Overall, I was left unsatisfied with this book.
4. Lisa - 1 star
"Pagan Celebration of Light" was a complete waste of my time. The writing was uninspiring, and the characters were dull and uninteresting. The plot meandered aimlessly, and I found myself struggling to care about anything that was happening. Additionally, the book lacked proper research and accuracy when it came to pagan traditions, which was deeply disappointing. I would not recommend this book to anyone looking for an engaging and well-written story.