The Winter Solstice marks the time of the longest dark and the shortest light. Symbolically, it portrays, on this darkest of nights, the goddess as the “great mother” giving birth to the young-hero god—the sun god. This is the symbolic birth of the messenger of light. It is the darkest time of the year, the time of the longest night, but there is always the everlasting promise and hope of the return of light. And watching over this eternal process of the virgin birth (Virgo on the eastern horizon) is the Sun Angel—the Archangel Mikael.
This is a time of holly and mistletoe. Both wondrous “greens” symbolize fertility – the mistletoe berries are white, representing the semen of the god, and the holly berries are blood red, symbolizing the menstrual blood of the goddess.
This is also the season to honor the evergreen (ever—green) tree, symbolically the central axis of creation, the Tree of Life (Knowledge of Oneness) and to remember that this tree of fire and light is within us. Each of us is born with this central tree (axis mundi) of light/life (spine), which shortly after becomes the tree of knowledge—of duality—good and evil. Our ever-born quest is to return to our original Tree of Life: knowledge of oneness (light/life) within. This is the time to dedicate or re-dedicate one’s life to the divine quest of awakening.
Lord of Light
Usually the accepted consensus is that indigenous cultures of the past worshiped the sun and moon as the primary deities. But that is not the case. It was Light, the Lord of Light sometimes known as the “Sun behind the sun” that predates the worship of the sun and moon. Irish legend relates that the sacred site of Newgrange was built by the Tuatha De Danann, “The Lords of Light,” six thousand years ago. Newgrange’s entrance is aligned with the rising sun on the winter solstice. At dawn, from December 19th to 23rd, a narrow beam of light penetrates an opening known as the “roof-box” and reaches the floor of the chamber, gradually extending to the rear of the chamber.
The spiritual importance of light is one of the reasons why conducting the bathing ritual of the Northwest Coast First People, bathing is done not at sunrise but at first light just as Venus, the morning star, brings the light out of the darkness.
The ancient Winter Solstice signified the rebirth of Light and the Unconquered Sun (Sol Invictus). At this point in the year the days grow longer and light re-enters the world. This solstice celebration is permanently rooted in both the fabric of the natural world and the core essence of human nature!
It was not until the middle of the fourth century that Christmas came to be accepted as a Christian festival and even today, many people are unaware to the roots of Christmas and all its trappings, such as the Christmas Tree. This symbol of the Tree of Life began with the ancient shamans and the Indo-European spiritual practice of cutting down a living tree and erecting it within the home or community center at the time of the “dark,” the Winter Solstice. This was in celebration of the return of light and symbolized regeneration and new life.
During the dawn of humanity, we find the roots of the Tree of Life as well as one of the earliest myths—the “theft of fire” and the reality of humankind’s first attempt at controlling nature through knowledge. In short order the earliest religious guide and leaders, the shamans, having received this great gift of spiritual power and knowledge—fire, realized that nature could not really be controlled, but could only be harmonized, through a partnership of the people and the great Earth Mother. In a ritual and ceremony of forgiveness for the “theft of fire” (think of a lightning struck tree), the shaman would select the “proper” tree, decorate it with gifts and, with the community looking on, set it on fire. And thus, the shaman became recognized as the “flame man” or “keeper of the fire.” Of course, this yearly ceremony would take place on the longest night of the year. This Tree of Fire, or Tree of Life/Knowledge, was accordingly the earliest form of our Christmas Tree.
“It seems highly peculiar that, unlike several other religions, the Christian religion chose to portray the gift of fire, light, and knowledge as evil. The Lightning-Serpent, Loki, Prometheus, and Lucifer should have been seen as humanity’s friends, but instead were portrayed as Satanic opponents of God, while humanity was called sinful for trying to gain knowledge. This was typical of monopolistic ancient priesthoods, which tried to keep outsiders from competing in matters of power and knowledge. They required a safe-and-obedient status quo, and tried to destroy all (even men like Jesus the Nazarene) who encouraged people to think creatively and independently, autonomous of the control of Synod or Curia.” (excerpted from When Santa was a Shaman, Tony van Renterghem)
During this holiday season, please remember your freedom to think for yourself, your gift of creativity and never lose sight of the purity of all—the divinity that is in all things. And as you are decorating your Tree of Fire and Light, bless the heavens and the earth and all on it, and give thanks to your ancestors, the elder ones that had the courage and vision to “see.”
The Season’s Symbolism
Bell Symbolism:
During the winter solstice bells chime out the importance of clarity. To our ancestral minds, the very shape of the bell is reminiscent to dome of heaven. In Buddhism, the sounding of a bell is the resonance of pure wisdom – a tonal symbol of perfect harmony & clarity. In Asian thought the bell is also a harmonic symbol – the bell itself considered female, the clapper or pendulum within the bell is male. The two working as one to create a beautiful tone is symbolic of the union between male and female to create perfect cooperation and balance.
Holly Symbolism:
Holly has long held itself as a miraculous evergreen. In fact, its status as an ever green (keeping green even in the stark winter months) is a testimony to its symbolism of renewal, immortality and rejuvenation. In ancient Rome, Holly was an attribute to the sun gods. Appropriately, holly adorned Roman halls during the celebrations during Saturnalia to represent health, joviality and good faith. By many ancient European cultures Holly is a protective agent and is carried into the home to ward of chaotic energy during the winter months.
Ivy Symbolism:
Both Holly and Ivy are common companions during the winter solstice because of their evergreen status. They keep their viridian splendor in the austerity of winter which is symbolic of endurance, promise, hope and vitality – even in the most challenging environments. That’s a spiritual lesson – the Ivy encourages us to maintain our health and growth even when our circumstances are less than optimal. Ivy is also incredibly resourceful – weaving its way in every nook and cranny to further secure its placement. That’s another great lesson this time of year: Be flexible, be resourceful – there’s always another way to climb – another opportunity to be had to obtain maximum potential.
Ivy is associated with the World Serpent. Like the serpent that it symbolizes, the ivy entwines itself around life, causing change by bringing death, and subsequently allowing new life to begin. Throughout this process, the Ivy remains evergreen (eternal) and constant, in an act of initial paradox, a plant of death, but also a plant of life.
Mistletoe Symbolism:
Keeping in-theme with renewal and the promise of illumination re-entering our awareness, it’s not surprising to learn mistletoe is a representative of an illumined life. Neither shrub, nor tree and suspended in the air – Mistletoe is a powerful symbol of freedom. It is limitless in its capacity for growth, and indeed, it chooses the Chieftain of the forest, the Oak as its home.
Wreath Symbolism:
Wreaths at Christmas are typically made with Holly and Ivy for reasons cited above. They may also be made of Laurel. The circular shape of the wreath speaks of cycles (wheels of time, seasons), infinity, immortality, inclusion, community and the unbreakable bonds we share with Nature. It’s no accident wreaths are designed to be round. Everything is symbolic – particularly when we explore hereditary symbolism passed down from our ancestors. Wreaths are circular to emphasize the idea of continuity of life. Furthermore, wreaths often double as crowns – and therefore we could say our “crowning glory” is our immortality, endurance and the bonds of life we share with each other.
Yule Log:
The yule log is a remnant of the bonfires that the European pagans would set ablaze at the time of winter solstice. These bonfires symbolized the return of the Sun and Light.
An oak log, plus a fireplace or bonfire area is needed for this form of celebration. The oak log should be very dry so that it will blaze well. On the night of Yule, carve a symbol of your hopes for the coming year into the log. Burn the log to release its power. It can be decorated with burnable red ribbons of natural fiber and dried holly leaves. In the fireplace or bonfire area, dried kindling should be set to facilitate the burning of the log. The Yule log can be made of any wood (Oak is traditional). Each releases its own kind of magic.
Ash — brings protection, prosperity, and health
Aspen — invokes understanding of the grand design
Birch — signifies new beginnings
Holly — inspires visions and reveals past lives
Oak — brings healing, strength, and wisdom
Pine — signifies prosperity and growth
Willow — invokes the Goddess to achieve desires