WINTER SOLSTICE

The winter solstice is a cross-quarter festival celebrating the day when night is the longest and day is the shortest. The focus of the festival in modern Paganism is, as with many religions which have festivals near this time of the year, on the return of the light. Many Pagans will sit vigil on this night, watching through the darkness to safeguard the sleeping earth and witness the return of the sun.

I always find this holiday to be a welcome one for me particularly because once the solstice has passed, the days will begin to lengthen again and I know that spring won't be too far away. By the time the festival rolls around, I am usually sick to death of waking up in the dark, walking to work as the sun rises at 8:00, and leaving my office at dusk around 5:00. I'm ready for sunshine, and with the solstice I know that things will improve, and by Beltane I'll be cursing the sun as it wakes me earlier and earlier on lazy weekend mornings!

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