I celebrated this Winter Solstice by taking our dog for a walk at sunset in the woods, savouring every last moment of light on this shortest day of the year. It was a special day; our boys had their last day at school, which always finishes with a Christmas church service. So we all walked back to the car, happily singing Christmas carols that we had just sung in the service; then one more stop to collect Yasmin from the child-minders before officially being on holiday. There is something really nice about collecting all the children up and breathing a big sigh of relief / relaxation that another hectic school term is over and we can all chill out together, be creative and catch up as a family.
I find it funny to think that the shortest day of the year marks the beginning of winter - as it seems like we have endured enough bad weather and darkness already - but I do love the crisp, sunny and cold winter days. Perhaps we will have more of those now.
I like the pagan celebrations, perhaps because they are so intrinsically linked to the seasons and natural environment that they just seem to make sense. Different places celebrate the winter solstice in various ways, including music, dancing and feasting. In Roman times, the shortest day fell in the middle of a week long celebration of Saturnalia, respecting the God of Saturn and in the days after the solstice, honouring Mithra, the God of Light as the days slowly lengthen. I can't work out what came first: was I interested in folklore to begin with, or has the interest developed more strongly since I've been living on a shoestring? It has certainly awakened my senses to simple things around me: which must be a good thing.
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