The date and time for Winter Solstice in 2024 is December 21 st at 4:31 am EST . This is a Saturday which makes Friday night the longest night of the year. From Saturday onward, the days become longer a tiny bit at a time until Summer Solstice, the longest day of the year. The Winter Solstice is the astrological / astronomical official beginning of Winter.
Our ancestors celebrated the Solstice as the return of the Sun which brings life to crops and animals. The early Christians movement was trying to convert all the Pagan communities, so they placed Christmas, the Birth of God’s son (sun) at Yuletide to merge the two celebrations together. Most Christian holidays were held near an originally Pagan one to do the same.
We use the same greenery such as pine, holly and mistletoe that the early Northern European civilizations did. They also burned an oak Yule log to honor the returning light as fire. The Celts lit fires on the hilltops to support the returning light. It has always been a festive celebration with feasting and ritual. Many faiths light candles in churches to symbolize Christ as the light of the world.
Mulled cider or wine is a great way to bring the spices of Winter into your festivities. Cloves, Anise, Cinnamon, Ginger as well as citrus peel, when possible, make a warming taste treat! You can also do a burning bowl as part of your gathering by having everyone write down on paper all the issues, emotions or happenings that they wish to release from the past year and then burn them sending them out into the Universe to be dealt with in the best way. Next everyone should write down what they wish to manifest in the New Year and then burn them allowing the Universe to find the best way to bring them into fruition. This is an excellent time for releasing and new beginnings but if it is more convenient or makes more sense to you to use the end of the calendar year to do this ritual, that is perfectly alright. Always do what feels right to you.
Blessed Yule !