Deaf Pagan Crossroads

As we kick off our studies of the Winter Solstice, it seems only appropriate to begin with explaining exactly what IS the Winter Solstice.

The word “solstice” itself comes from the Latin phrase sol stetit or sol sistere, which means “the sun stands still.” Sol is the word for sun, and stetit/sistere is the word meaning to stand still.

This origin refers to the fact that for a couple of days, the sun appears to be rising and setting at the same point on the horizon… thus it seems to be standing still in the sky.

There are two solstices in the year – the summer solstice which occurs around the 21^st of June, and the winter solstice, which occurs around the 21^st of December. It is important to note, however, that this refers to the Northern hemisphere – continents such as North America and Europe, and countries such as United States and England. In the Southern hemisphere the seasons are reversed, thus Australia will be celebrating the Summer Solstice this month.

Here in the northern hemisphere, the Summer Solstice in June is the time of the longest day and the shortest night, whereas the Winter Solstice is the time of the shortest day and the longest night. After December 21^st, the days will start to get longer – this is why the Winter Solstice has traditionally been celebrated as the time of the rebirth of the sun.

One of the challenges of discussing pagan celebrations, particularly when one is referring to ancient cultural and historical practices, is being able to distinguish between fact and fiction. While we do know that many of our modern-day traditions have their origins in ancient beliefs and customs, we do have to remember that they are in fact a modern interpretation of such, which may or may not always be totally accurate.

photograph collage by yeimaya

As an example, a common theme that revolves around the celebration of the solstices focuses on the concept of the Dark Half and the Light Half. The belief is that the two solstices served to divide the year into two – a dark half and a light half… a time of the waxing (growing) sun, and a time of the waning (decimating) sun.

From a solar perspective, the light half of the year would actually begin at the Winter Solstice, since this is when the sun begins to grow again, and each day gains an ever increasing amount of light. The dark half of the year would actually begin at the Summer Solstice, when the sun begins to die, and each day loses an ever decreasing amount of light.

Thus the Light Half (starting at the Winter Solstice) would be a time of fertility – of birth, growth, renewal, planting and sowing the seeds, activity, etc. We are not merely talking about the physical fertility and the birth of babies, but also about mental fertility… the birth of new ideas, of new beginnings.

Likewise, the Dark Half (starting at the Summer Solstice) would be the fallow period… a time of death, harvesting and reaping the results of what we sowed, resting, introspection, etc. Again, we are not merely talking about a physical repose, but also of resting our minds and spirits… of allowing ourselves time for rejuvenation.

Whether or not the ancient cultures actually did practice the concept of a Light Half and Dark Half of the year or if this is in fact a more modern idea conceived by 18th and 19th century folklorists is up for debate, with scholars lined up on both sides of the argument.

However, there is no question that our ancestors did honor the sun, and celebrated its importance in the various festivals known to have taken place throughout the history of mankind. The cycles of the sun and the changing of the seasons were of great importance to the people of the old world, governing their lives and their survival.

They must have these viewed these turning points in the wheel of the year as mysterious, shadowy, uncertain times… when the conviction that the sun would indeed return might have become doubtful, and the gates between the worlds stood ajar. At such times the coming and going of otherworldly beings and the communication between the dead and the living seemed to occur so much easier, and thus it was necessary to watch closely to assure that things returned to “normal” once the Solstice tide had passed.

This was a time of celebration – of ritual acts designed to align the individual with the cosmos. Dances were devised to enact the movement of the seasons, and the fertility of the land and people. Shamans would descend tree poles in their journey into the ancestral world.

The rituals have changed over time… but the celebrations continue.