In the depths of winter, when the nights are long and the air is cold, pagans celebrate the winter solstice. This ancient festival marks the shortest day and the longest night of the year, a symbolic turning point where the darkness begins to recede, making way for the light to return. In pagan traditions, the winter solstice is seen as a time of rebirth and renewal. It is a time to gather together, to connect with nature, and to honor the cycles of life and death. Poems are often recited during this time, capturing the essence of this sacred holiday. A pagan winter solstice poem might speak of the sun, a powerful symbol of warmth and light.
The winter solstice marks the shortest, darkest day and the rebirth of the sun.
We usually have a more muted chorus in the half-hour or so before the sun rises, but as the sun lifts its head above the horizon, a hush falls over the landscape. All the long echoes sing the same delight, This shortest day, As promise wakens in the sleeping land They carol, fest, give thanks, And dearly love their friends, And hope for peace.
A pagan winter solstice poem might speak of the sun, a powerful symbol of warmth and light. It might depict the turning of the wheel of the year, as the world shifts from darkness to light. It might include references to nature, celebrating the cycles of the seasons and the interconnectedness of all things.
A Yule Poem and Solstice celebration…..
Merry Meet my lovely friends. How is your Yule/Christmas preparations going? If you’re like me, you’re as busy as can be..running everywhere…shopping, wrapping, baking, visiting and feeling a bit run down, tired and stressed. This time of year can be very hectic but because we are witches we know how to fix that don’t we? Be sure to take quiet time every day. Meditation, altar work, ritual baths, moon gazing, fire gazing, candle spells, scented oils and incense and grounding and centering are all ways for us to relax, regroup, and to re-energize our minds and bodies so that we feel better and don’t get so stressed out and tired that we don’t enjoy this time of year.
For us christmas day is about spending time with family, feasting, opening gifts and having a fun filled day. Yule or Winter Solstice is something quite different. It’s more about quiet peace, the glow of candles, a yule log burning, a simple meal and reflecting on the past year and what you hope to manifest in the next. There are many things you can do as a family to celebrate the solstice that will be rewarding and memorable and make the day lovely and relaxing at the same time.
*Instead of buying gifts, make some together on Yule Day. My daughters, sister and I love to knit and crochet. There are so many things you can make with that skill for loved ones. Or make something and donate it to a charity such as chemo caps, preemie caps, and blankets for hospice patients. Or you can make homemade decorations for your Yule tree, wreath, or Yule log. Cinnamon or Salt dough ornaments shaped like stars, moons, pentacles, apples etc would be a fun family project!
*Go on a nature walk in a nearby woods or nature preserve or on a beach. Look for a Yule Log for the fireplace or a smaller one simply to decorate the home. Look for natural decorations such as ivy, mistletoe, and pinecones, taking care to only pick what has already fallen. If its snowing, take bird seed, dried corn or shelled peanuts to put out for the birds and furry creatures. Make snow angels. Catch snowflakes on your tongue. Sing carols outloud.
*Collect evergreens to make a Yule Wreath or to put on your Yule log…the scent when you burn the log will be delicious!
*While sitting around the burning Yule Log, share the stories of Winter Solstice. Each member of the family throws some dried holly sprigs into the fire, saying a farewell to the old year. Talk about your past year together and what you’d like to have happen in your next year. Perhaps everyone has a favorite memory that could be recorded in a journal or blog.
*Have a Solstice Meal. Make it as big or as simple as you wish. Make a cake for the return of the Sun King…maybe put a sunburst on the cake with icing. Each person can light a candle on the cake and make a wish for the coming year.
*Have the family do a ritual together to wish the Holly King a pleasant journey til he comes back again.
*Stay up all night and watch the sunrise and toast the Sun King’s return with fresh orange juice or mimosa..then have a nice breakfast and take a long winter’s nap!
Can you think of a tradition you would like to start with your family? I know you can…you may have some in place already! One thing I do too..is for myself, I take time at my altar..or outside with the Moon Goddess…to give thanks for the blessings in my life. I value my time to reflect and be with the Goddess anytime I can.
I found this poem this evening and just loved it…thought I would share it here with you.
“So the shortest day came, and the year died,
And everywhere down the centuries of the snow-white world
Came people singing, dancing,
To drive the dark away.
They lighted candles in the winter trees;
…They hung their homes with evergreen;
They burned beseeching fires all night long
To keep the year alive,
And when the new year’s sunshine blazed awake
They shouted, reveling.
Through all the frosty ages you can hear them
Echoing behind us – Listen!!
All the long echoes sing the same delight,
This shortest day,
As promise wakens in the sleeping land:
They carol, fest, give thanks,
And dearly love their friends,
And hope for peace.
And so do we, here, now,
This year and every year.
Welcome Yule!!”
– Susan Cooper, The Shortest Dayj
I don’t know who Susan Cooper is but I salute her writing! She captured Yule perfectly in her beautiful words. So my dear friends, look for ways to find calm in the raging busyness of the season. Embrace some time for solitude to regroup and reconnect with the Goddess and your soul. Have a glass of wine or eggnog in the evening by a fire or a lit candle. Put your jammies on early and watch a holiday movie. Kiss under the mistletoe with your honey. Call old friends you haven’t talked to for awhile…just reconnect with loved ones. It’s going to be a long winter but each day the sun shines a bit longer and spring will come soon and Mother Earth will wake up and it WILL be green again! 🙂
The poem may also include elements of ritual and celebration. It may invoke the gods and goddesses, expressing gratitude for their blessings and guidance. It may encourage others to come together in community, to share in the joy and magic of the solstice. Ultimately, a pagan winter solstice poem is a way to celebrate and honor the natural world, to find solace and inspiration in the midst of winter's chill. It is a reminder that even in the darkest of times, there is always the promise of new beginnings and the hope of brighter days ahead..
Reviews for "Lost in the Labyrinth: A Solstice Poem for Pagans"
1. Jason - 2/5 stars - I was really looking forward to reading the "Pagan winter solstice poem" as I am a fan of poetry and enjoy exploring different cultural celebrations. However, I found this particular poem to be quite underwhelming. The language used was vague and did not paint a clear picture of the winter solstice festivities. Additionally, the rhythm and flow of the poem felt disjointed and did not engage me as a reader. Overall, I was disappointed with this poem and would not recommend it to others.
2. Sarah - 1/5 stars - I found the "Pagan winter solstice poem" to be convoluted and difficult to understand. The symbolism used throughout the poem was obscure and did not contribute to a deeper comprehension of the winter solstice traditions or the Pagan beliefs associated with it. Furthermore, the structure of the poem lacked coherence and left me feeling disconnected from the subject matter. I believe there are much better poems available on the topic, and I would not recommend wasting time on this particular one.
3. Alex - 2/5 stars - As someone who appreciates poetic language and imagery, I was quite disappointed with the "Pagan winter solstice poem". The language used was overly simplistic and failed to capture the essence and depth of the winter solstice celebration. The imagery employed was predictable and did not bring any originality to the subject matter. Overall, I found this poem to be uninspiring and lacking the emotional impact that I have come to expect from poetry. I would not recommend it to others who are seeking a more profound exploration of the winter solstice theme.
4. Emma - 1/5 stars - I found the "Pagan winter solstice poem" to be cliché and lacking originality in its approach to the theme. The repetitive use of common symbols associated with the winter solstice, such as snow and cold, did not offer any fresh insights or perspectives. The language and structure of the poem were simplistic and failed to engage my imagination or evoke any emotions. Overall, I was disappointed with this poem and would not recommend it to others who are seeking a more nuanced and thought-provoking exploration of the winter solstice.