[kj] Happy Winter Solstice

[Pat]

*Winter Solstice*
20th/21st December

The Pagan celebration of Winter Solstice (also known as Yule) is one of the
oldest winter celebrations in the world.

Ancient people were hunters and spent most of their time outdoors. The
seasons and weather played a very important part in their lives. Because of
this many ancient people had a great reverence for, and even worshipped the
sun. The Norsemen of Northern Europe saw the sun as a wheel that changed the
seasons. It was from the word for this wheel, *houl*, that the word yule is
thought to have come. At mid-winter the Norsemen lit bonfires, told stories
and drank sweet ale.

The ancient Romans also held a festival to celebrate the rebirth of the
year. Saturnalia ran for seven days from the 17th of December. It was a time
when the ordinary rules were turned upside down. Men dressed as women and
masters dressed as servants. The festival also involved decorating houses
with greenery, lighting candles, holding processions and giving presents.

Before Christianity came to the British Isles the Winter Solstice was held
on the shortest day of the year (21st December). The Druids (Celtic priests)
would cut the mistletoe that grew on the oak tree and give it as a blessing.
Oaks were seen as sacred and the winter fruit of the mistletoe was a symbol
of life in the dark winter months.

It was also the Druids who began the tradition of the yule log. The Celts
thought that the sun stood still for twelve days in the middle of winter and
during this time a log was lit to conquer the darkness, banish evil spirits
and bring luck for the coming year.
Many of these customs are still followed today. They have been incorporated
into the Christian and secular celebrations of Christmas
<http://www.bbc.co.uk/religion/religions/christianity/holydays/christmas.shtml>
.



--
Pat
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