Winter Solstice: Observing it Today

Ideas for Winter Solstice Observance

If you've never before consciously observed the winter solstice and are looking for ideas to get you started, here are simple starting points:

Read up.
There are many wonderful books that can help deepen your understanding of the importance of seasonal passages like the winter solstice and provide ideas for creating a meaningful and connected celebration.

Alone or with family?
A winter solstice observance can be as simple as truly observing the sunrise or sunset. Want to find out your sunrise/sunset times for winter solstice? Here's a place for you.
Perhaps you will turn out the lights in your home after sunset, lighting only with candles and/or firelight as a way of really experiencing the longest night in the same way as our ancestors.

If you want to create your own ritual for the winter solstice, keep in mind that many modern observances involve symbols for three important actions: remembering and appreciating the year that is ending, letting go of the "bad stuff" in the past that we want to leave behind, and then setting an intention or a direction for the new year.

Rituals can be quite simple. Here's one that will appeal to children, from the book Circle Round: Create from construction paper a two-sided sun, one side light, the other dark. After sunset on winter solstice, hang the sun dark side out. After the sunrise the next morning, turn the sun to hang bright side up!

Celebrating with others?
Celebrations can range from candlelight dinners with friends to large-scale rituals. Many Candlegrove visitors have shared their celebrations in feedback. Some churches have solstice observances, and you can always search newsgroups or email list groups (like Yahogroups) or post to them to find neopagan celebrations near you.

Global observances you can join

Global solstice sunrise meditation

Prayers for peace on winter solstice as World Peace Day

Or here's another innovative collective effort for peace on Winter Solstice!

Candlegrove will bring you more tips for simple rituals and nature-conscious celebrations throughout December, or you can follow some of our links to more information and ideas.

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If you've never before consciously observed the winter solstice and are looking for ideas to get you started, here are simple starting points:
	`Read up.` There are many wonderful books that can help deepen your understanding of the importance of seasonal passages like the winter solstice and provide ideas for creating a meaningful and connected celebration.
	`Alone or with family?` A winter solstice observance can be as simple as truly observing the sunrise or sunset. Want to find out your sunrise/sunset times for winter solstice? Here's a place for you. Perhaps you will turn out the lights in your home after sunset, lighting only with candles and/or firelight as a way of really experiencing the longest night in the same way as our ancestors. If you want to create your own ritual for the winter solstice, keep in mind that many modern observances involve symbols for three important actions: remembering and appreciating the year that is ending, letting go of the "bad stuff" in the past that we want to leave behind, and then setting an intention or a direction for the new year. Rituals can be quite simple. Here's one that will appeal to children, from the book Circle Round: Create from construction paper a two-sided sun, one side light, the other dark. After sunset on winter solstice, hang the sun dark side out. After the sunrise the next morning, turn the sun to hang bright side up!
	`Celebrating with others?` Celebrations can range from candlelight dinners with friends to large-scale rituals. Many Candlegrove visitors have shared their celebrations in feedback. Some churches have solstice observances, and you can always search newsgroups or email list groups (like Yahogroups) or post to them to find neopagan celebrations near you.
	`Global observances you can join` Global solstice sunrise meditation Prayers for peace on winter solstice as World Peace Day Or here's another innovative collective effort for peace on Winter Solstice! Candlegrove will bring you more tips for simple rituals and nature-conscious celebrations throughout December, or you can follow some of our links to more information and ideas.