Winter Solstice

21st December

There’s something so magical about this time of the year. In the northern hemisphere we’re blessed with unpredictable wild weather, biting cold, frosty mornings and freezing fog. When the sun does say hello, the shadows and light cast upon the earth shines and shimmers through the weather.

As the winter solstice approaches, the shortest day of our year, a simple nod to the changing season can be as simple as lighting candles at the dinner table. Celebrating the solstice doesn’t have to be a grand affair akin to Stonehenge size gatherings. It can be simple, small and perfectly tailored to you and your family.

Below you’ll find the ways we’ll be honouring the return of the sun, please feel free to adopt these traditions too.


Winter Solstice Spiral

No solstice celebration would be complete without a trip around the spiral. For our winter celebrations we welcome the oldest child into the centre to be the light barer. They stand proudly with the flame of the sun in their hands ready to pass the light to the rest of the children.

As each child walks the spiral with their candle they think of the sun, why they’re thankful for it and all the wonderful adventures to come. They reach the centre, thank the light barer and receive a flame to their candle.

As they spiral outwards they protect the flame until they reach the outer ring and wait for their friends to join them.

Once everyone has their flame, we sing a song together and finally blow out the candle as one.

All our celebrations are rooted in joy, in love and kindness. We speak of our thanks to the sun, for everything it gives us and everything it makes us feel. The group comes together to share the sense of togetherness.

For adult groups when we gather, we write our dark thoughts on scraps of paper, shedding them into the fire and releasing them to Mother Earth. We then speak our joys, our gratitude and the things we’re thankful for out loud for the group to hear. In the darkest part of the year we’re ready to welcome back the sun and feel the growth of the days ahead of us. I play the drum and sing all the drumming songs I can think of and those who want to join in can.

However you choose to celebrate this season, blessings to you.

Here’s to another turn around the sun. To adventures, family, friendships and new journeys into the beautiful natural world.


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Sewn Gnomes