By Litzi Ramirez Aguilar
The Winter Solstice is the beginning of an end. Too ominous? In Latin, solstice is made up of two words: sol– meaning “the sun” and sistere meaning “to make stand.” To put it in basic terms, the Winter Solstice is known for the shortest day and the darkest night of the year. It occurs on December 21st or 22nd in the Northern Hemisphere, and June 20th or 21st in the Southern Hemisphere, but this is called the Summer Solstice. Scientifically, it results from the Earth’s axial tilt being the furthest away from the Sun. Then, the Sun begins to gravitate toward the equator, leading to longer days and shorter nights for those in the Northern Hemisphere.
As for the celebrations of the Winter Solstice, many ancient societies were joined together by the idea of new beginnings. In ancient Rome, they celebrated the Winter Solstice with festivals like the festival of Saturnalia. This festival was dedicated to Saturn, the god of agriculture. It was a weeklong celebration where homes were decorated with wreaths and traditional togas were replaced by colorful clothes known as synthesis. The ancient Norse celebrated the winter solstice with Yule, a celebration involving feasting and drinking. And similar to New Years resolution, swearing oaths were also tradition. These were meant to be bound agreements, sacred oaths that were meant to be fulfilled.
For modern times, various cultures still celebrate their versions of the Winter Solstice. In China, their festival is called Dongzhi, meaning “Winter’s Arrival.” It comes from the ancient principles of yin and yang. The celebration represents a balance of dark and light shifting and believing after Dongzhi, the light will prevail. During this time, families gather to enjoy traditional foods such as rice balls and dumplings, or hot pot and wontons. In Japan, their Winter Solstice is known as Tōji, with a similar belief of the dark taking over with the promise of light returning. People traditionally take yuzu baths to ward off illnesses. Pumpkin or kachocha is also meant to provide nutrients to strengthen one’s body.
In the Americas, indigenous peoples also celebrate with the Winter Solstice. One group called the Hopi celebrates Soyal, a ceremony where pahos, or prayer sticks, were made to bless homes, animals, and plants. It marks the beginning of the Katsina season and a new season for the year.
In India, Makar Sankranti is a Hindu festival celebrating the sun’s new cycle. This specific celebration falls on January 14th or 15th. It is known as the harvest festival with different names such as Pongal in Tamil Nadu and Magh Bihu in Assam. Common traditions of this celebration consist of kite flying; sacred baths where devotees take dips in rivers like the Ganges to cleanse themselves of sin; sharing sweet foods like Arisalu made from rice flour and sesame seeds; and some traditions involve burning old items on prior to welcome new energy and prosperity.
The solstice was extremely important to cultures entirely dependent on the seasons for survival. The solstice was celebrated as a time where people honored nature and expressed gratitude. Many people, even now in modern times, observe/celebrate it as a time to set goals for the coming year (like New Years Resolution) and embrace the prospect of new beginnings. So for this year, take a moment to connect with the world around you and remember to celebrate the new beginnings of the new year.