The next Winter Solstice falls on 21st December 2024 at 9.21 GMT, according to the Royal Observatory, Greenwich.
3 Facts about the Winter Solstice
- Daylight
It is the day with the shortest amount of daylight, being 7 hours 50 minutes, compared to the Summer Solstice when we can expect 16 hours 38 minutes.
- The sun ‘stand still’
It marks that moment, when the Sun is exactly over the Tropic of Capricorn and the sun appears to ‘stand still’. The word solstitium was used which in turn is composed of the words sol (meaning ‘sun’) and sistere (meaning to ‘stand still’).
- The shortest day
The Winter Solstice is the shortest day of the year and it marks the first day of winter in the astronomical calendar. In the meteological calender, winter starts three weeks earlier on 1st December and finishes at the end of February.
Celebrations!
The solstice is a cause of celebration around the world. In the Northern Hemisphere it marks the turning point in the seasons and a return to daylight and better weather. Newgrange in Ireland has an ancient monument built to this event. For a few days, sunlight pierces the inner chamber of the 5,000-year-old structure, illuminating the passage in a dramatic celebration of light. Thousands gather at Newgrange each year to witness this astronomical spectacle.
Yule: A Pagan Festival of Light
Yule, celebrated by ancient Germanic people, marks the rebirth of the Sun during the Winter Solstice. Yule traditions like lighting candles, decorating trees, and feasting were adopted by later Christian celebrations of Christmas. The Yule log, once burned to honour the return of the light, is now a chocolate cake in many cultures.
Hopi of Arizona
First Nation people in the Americas have rich traditions around the Winter Solstice. For example, the Hopi of Arizona celebrate ‘Soyal’ to honour the Sun’s return. Rituals during Soyal include prayers for the renewal of life, dancing, and giving gifts. Many of these traditions associated with the solstice emphasise balance and harmony between light and darkness.
Dongzhi Festival
In China, the Dongzhi Festival marks the Winter Solstice with family gatherings and the eating of tangyuan (glutinous rice balls) symbolising reunion and prosperity. It is a time to honour ancestors and celebrate the increase of daylight.
Shab-e Yalda
Yalda Night is an ancient Persian celebration of the longest night of the year. Families stay up all night sharing poetry, stories, and pomegranates, which represent the cycle of life, to welcome the morning light.
St. Lucia’s Day
In Sweden and Norway, on December 13th, this festival of light honours St. Lucia, a symbol of hope and light during the dark winter months. Young girls dressed in white robes and candlelit crowns lead processions, singing traditional songs in Swedish towns.
Toji
In Japan, Toji marks the Winter Solstice with a focus on health and renewal. Traditionally, people take yuzu baths (soaking in hot water with floating yuzu citrus fruits) to ward off illness and encourage good fortune for the coming year. Pumpkins and other winter foods are eaten for good health.
Festival of Santo Tomás
In the town of Chichicastenango, Guatemala, the winter solstice coincides with the Festival of Santo Tomás. The celebration includes traditional dances, fireworks, and a dramatic ritual called the Palo Volador, where participants swing from poles high in the air. The festival combines both Catholic and indigenous Mayan traditions.
A period of personal reflection
For many, the winter solstice represents a time of spiritual reflection and personal renewal. It offers an opportunity to release old habits and embrace the coming year with new intentions. The symbolic ‘rebirth of the Sun’ is often seen as a metaphor for inner transformation and hope as the darkest days give way to light.
The Winter Solstice can be far more than just a seasonal marker. It is a profound moment in the year, inviting reflection, community, and the celebration of light in the midst of darkness. Whether through ancient stone structures, vibrant festivals, or quiet personal rituals, this astronomical event continues to inspire people around the world to gather, celebrate, and look forward to brighter days ahead.
3 ways to mark the Winter Solstice
- Let the light in!
Whether on your own or with friends, put on some warm glowing lights, enjoy some warming food and reflect on the good things in your life. What makes you smile? What gives you the fuzzies inside? Be grateful for your life and show gratitude to others. Share the light around.
- Enjoy nature and reconnect
Go on a mindful walk and explore the hedgerows by day and the stars at night. Reconnect with the earth. With each step, let go of what troubles you and consider how your ancestors may have seen the natural world. Some things change, but some things stay the same. It’s the same moon, the same sun and the same stars. They belong here and so do you.
- Grant yourself a wish!
What does future you look like, sound like, and believe in? Consider one thought or idea that no longer serves you that you can leave in the darkness and one new idea you can carry forward into the lighter days. Maybe you want to learn to dance, to find a new partner or clear up your home. It all starts with a decision to change and a willingness to let go. So explore your future and make your choice. Be your own fairy godmother and grant yourself a wish!
Whatever you are celebrating this month, I wish you loving happiness and great times ahead.
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