WINTER SOLSTICE CELEBRATIONS:
a.k.a. Christmas, Saturnalia, Yule
Overview
Religious folk worldwide observe many seasonal days of celebration during
the month of December. Most are religious holy days, and are linked in some
way to the winter solstice. On that day, the daytime hours are at a minimum
in the Northern hemisphere, and night time is at a maximum.
People view other religions in various ways, and thus treat the celebrations
of other faiths differently:
Some people value the range of December celebrations, because it is
evidence of diversity of belief within our common humanity. They respect
both their own religious traditions and those of other faiths for their
ability to inspire people to lead more ethical lives. Religious diversity is
to them a positive influence.
Others reject the importance of all celebrations other than the holy day
recognized by their own religion. Some even reject their religion's holy
days which are seen to have Pagan origins (e.g. Easter and Christmas).
Some view other religions as being inspired by Satan. Thus the solstice
celebrations of other religions are rejected because they are seen to be
Satanic in origin.
Origins of solstice celebration
The seasons of the year are caused by the 23.5º tilt of the earth's axis.
Because the earth is rotating like a top or gyroscope, it points in a fixed
direction continuously -- towards a point in space near the North Star. But
the earth is also revolving around the sun. During half of the year, the
southern hemisphere is more exposed to the sun than is the northern
hemisphere. During the rest of the year, the reverse is true. At noontime in
the Northern Hemisphere the sun appears high in the sky during summertime
and low in the sky during winter. The time of the year when the sun reaches
its maximum elevation occurs on the day with the greatest number of daylight
hours. This is called the summer solstice, and is typically on JUN-21 -- the
first day of summer. The lowest elevation occurs about DEC-21 and is the
winter solstice -- the first day of winter, when the night time hours are
maximum.
In pre-historic times, winter was a very difficult time for Aboriginal
people in the northern latitudes. The growing season had ended and the tribe
had to live off of stored food and whatever animals they could catch. The
people would be troubled as the life-giving sun sank lower in the sky each
noon. They feared that it would eventually disappear and leave them in
permanent darkness and extreme cold. After the winter solstice, they would
have reason to celebrate as they saw the sun rising and strengthening once
more. Although many months of cold weather remained before spring, they took
heart that the return of the warm season was inevitable. The concept of
birth and or death/rebirth became associated with the winter solstice. The
Aboriginal people had no elaborate instruments to detect the solstice. But
they were able to notice a slight elevation of the sun's path within a few
days after the solstice -- perhaps by DEC-25. Celebrations were often timed
for about the 25th.
December celebrations by various faiths - ancient and modern
ANCIENT EGYPT: The god-man/savior Osiris died and was entombed on DEC-21.
"At midnight, the priests emerged from an inner shrine crying 'The Virgin
has brought forth! The light is waxing" and showing the image of a baby to
the worshipers." 3
ANCIENT GREECE: The winter solstice ritual was called Lenaea, the Festival
of the Wild Women. In very ancient times, a man representing the harvest god
Dionysos was torn to pieces and eaten by a gang of women on this day. Later
in the ritual, Dionysos would be reborn as a baby. By classical times, the
human sacrifice had been replaced by the killing of a goat. The women's role
had changed to that of funeral mourners and observers of the birth.
ANCIENT ROME: Saturnalia began as a feast day for Saturn on DEC-17 and of
Ops (DEC-19). About 50 BCE, both were later converted into two day
celebrations. During the Empire, the festivals were combined to cover a full
week: DEC-17 to 23.
By the third century CE, there were many religions and spiritual mysteries
being followed within the Roman Empire. Many, if not most, celebrated the
birth of their god-man near the time of the solstice. Emperor Aurelian (270
to 275 CE) blended a number of Pagan solstice celebrations of the nativity
of such god-men/saviors as Appolo, Attis, Baal, Dionysus, Helios, Hercules,
Horus, Mithra, Osiris, Perseus, and Theseus into a single festival called
the "Birthday of the Unconquered Sun" on DEC-25. At the time, Mithraism and
Christianity were fierce competitors. Aurelian had even declared Mithraism
the official religion of the Roman Empire in 274 CE. Christianity won out by
becoming the new official religion in the 4th century CE.
BUDDHISM: On DEC-8, or on the Sunday immediately preceding, Buddhists
celebrate Bodhi Day (a.k.a. Rohatsu). It recalls the day in 596 BCE, when
the Buddha achieved enlightenment. He had left his family and possessions
behind at the age of 29, and sought the meaning of life -- particularly the
reasons for its hardships. He studied under many spiritual teachers without
success. Finally, he sat under a pipal tree and vowed that he would stay
there until he found what he was seeking. On the morning of the eighth day,
he realized that everyone suffers due to ignorance. But ignorance can be
overcome through the Eightfold Path that he advocated. This day is generally
regarded as the birth day of Buddhism. Being an Eastern tradition, Bodhi Day
has none of the associations with the solstice and the themes of death and
birth that are seen in other religions.
CHRISTIANITY: Any record of the date of birth of Yeshua Ben Nazareth (later
known as Jesus Christ) has been lost. There is sufficient evidence in the
Gospels to indicate that Yeshua was born in the fall, but this seems to have
been unknown to early Christians. By the beginning of the 4th century CE,
there was intense interest in choosing a day to celebrate Yeshua's birthday.
The western church leaders selected DEC-25 because this was already the date
recognized throughout the Roman Empire as the birthday of various Pagan
gods. 2,3 Since there was no central Christian authority at the time, it
took centuries before the tradition was universally accepted: Eastern
churches began to celebrate Christmas after 375 CE.
The church in Jerusalem started in the 7th century.
Ireland started in the 5th century
Austria, England and Switzerland in the 8th
Slavic lands in the 9th and 10th centuries. 6
Many symbols and practices associated with Christmas are of Pagan origin:
holly, ivy, mistletoe, yule log, the giving of gifts, decorated evergreen
tree, magical reindeer, etc. Polydor Virgil, an early British Christian,
said "Dancing, masques, mummeries, stageplays, and other such Christmas
disorders now in use with Christians, were derived from these Roman
Saturnalian and Bacchanalian festivals; which should cause all pious
Christians eternally to abominate them." In Massachusetts, Puritans
unsuccessfully tried to ban Christmas entirely during the 17th century,
because of its heathenism. The English Parliament abolished Christmas in
1647. Some contemporary Christian faith groups do not celebrate Christmas.
Included among these was the Worldwide Church of God (before its recent
conversion to Evangelical Christianity) and the Jehovah's Witnesses.
ISLAM: During the period 1997 to 1999, the first day of the Islamic lunar
month of Ramadan occurred in December. The nominal dates were 1997-DEC-31,
1998-DEC-20 and 1999-DEC-9. The actual date for the start of Ramadan depends
upon the sighting of the crescent moon, and thus can be delayed by a few
days from the nominal date. This is the holiest period in the Islamic year.
It honors the lunar month in which the Qura'n was revealed by God to
humanity. "It is during this month that Muslims observe the Fast of Ramadan.
Lasting for the entire month, Muslims fast during the daylight hours and in
the evening eat small meals and visit with friends and family. It is a time
of worship and contemplation. A time to strengthen family and community
ties." 4
Because Ramadan is part of a lunar-based calendar, it starts about 11 days
earlier each year. In the year 2000, the nominal date will be NOV-27.
Ramadan is thus not associated with the winter solstice as are other
religious celebrations. It is just by coincidence that it has occurred
during December in recent years.
JUDAISM: Jews celebrate an 8 day festival of Hanukkah, (a.k.a. Feast of
Lights, Festival of lights, Feast of Dedication, Chanukah, Chanukkah,
Hanukah). It recalls the war fought by the Maccabees in the cause of
religious freedom. Antiochus, the king of Syria, conquered Judea in the 2nd
century BCE. He terminated worship in the Temple and stole the sacred lamp,
the menorah, from before the altar. At the time of the solstice, they
rededicated the Temple to a Pagan deity. Judah the Maccabee lead a band of
rebels, and succeeding in retaking Jerusalem. They restored the temple and
lit the menorah. It was exactly three years after the flame had been
extinguished -- at the time of the Pagan rite.
Although they had found only sufficient consecrated oil to last for 24
hours, the flames burned steadily for eight days. "Today's menorahs have
nine branches; the ninth branch is for the shamash, or servant light, which
is used to light the other eight candles. People eat potato latkes, exchange
gifts, and play dreidel games. And as they gaze at the light of the menorah,
they give thanks for the miracle in the Temple long ago." 13
Modern-day Jews celebrate Hanukkah by lighting one candle for each of the
eight days of the festival. Once a minor festival, it has been growing in
importance in recent years, perhaps because of the pressure of Christmas.
NATIVE AMERICAN SPIRITUALITY: The Pueblo tribe observe both the summer
and winter solstices. Although the specific details of the rituals differ
from pueblo to pueblo, "the rites are built around the sun, the coming new
year and the rebirth of vegitation in the spring....Winter solstice rites
include...prayerstick making, retreats, altars, emesis and prayers for
increase." 9
The Hopi tribe "is dedicated to giving aid and direction to the sun which
is ready to 'return' and give strength to budding life." Their ceremony is
called "Soyal." It lasts for 20 days and includes "prayerstick making,
purification, rituals and a concluding rabbit hunt, feast and blessing..." 9
There are countless stone structures created by Natives in the past. One
was called Calendar One by its modern-day finder. It is in a natural
amphitheatre of about 20 acres in size in Vermont. From a stone enclosure in
the center of the bowl, one can see a number of vertical rocks and other
markers around the edge of the bowl "At the winter solstice, the sun rose at
the southern peak of the east ridge and set at a notch at the southern end
of the west ridge." The summer solstice and the equinoxes were similarly
marked. 10
NEOPAGANISM: This is a group of religions which are attempted re-creations
of ancient Pagan religions. Of these, Wicca is the most common; it is
loosely based on ancient Celtic beliefs and practices. Wiccans recognize
eight seasonal days of celebration. Four are minor sabbats and occur at the
two solstices and the two equinoxes. The other are major sabbats which
happen approximately halfway between an equinox and solstice. The winter
solstice sabbat is often called Yule. It is a time for introspection, and
planning for the future. In 1999, the solstice occurs on DEC-22 at 07:44 ET.
Wiccans may celebrate the Sabbat on the evening before, at sunrise on the
morning of the solstice, or at the exact time of the astronomical event.
Monotheistic religions, like Judaism, Christianity and Islam, tend to view
time as linear. It started with creation; the world as we know it will end
at some time in the future. Aboriginal and Neopagan religions see time as
circular and repetitive, with lunar (monthly) and solar (yearly) cycles.
Their "...rituals guarantee the continuity of nature's cycles, which
traditional human societies depend on for their sustenance." 1
Prehistoric Europe: Many remains of ancient stone structures can be found
in Europe. Some date back many millennia BCE. Some appear to have
religious/astronomical purposes; others are burial tombs. These structures
were built before writing was developed. One can only speculate on the
significance of the winter solstice to the builders. Two examples are: In
Maeshowe, (Orkneys, Scotland) there is a chambered cairn built on a leveled
area with a surrounding bank and ditch. It has been carbon dated at 2750
BCE. Inside the cairn is a stone structure with a long entry tunnel. The
structure is aligned so that sunlight can shine along the entry passage into
the interior of the megatlith, and illuminate the back of the structure.
This happens at sunrise at the winter solstice. Starting in the late 1990's,
live video and still images have been broadcast to the world via the
Internet. 8
One of the most impressive prehistoric monuments in Europe is at Newgrange,
in Brugh-na-Boyne, County Meath, in eastern Ireland. It covers an area of
one acre, and has an entrance passage that is almost 60 feet (18 m) long.
Above the entrance way is a stone box that allows the light from the sun to
penetrate to the back of the cairn at sunrise on the winter solstice. Live
video and stills from this site are also available on the Internet. It has
been dated at about 3,300 BCE; it is one of the oldest structures in the
world. 7
The date and time of the winter solstice
The exact date varies from year to year and may occur between the 20th and
23rd of December.
Year Winter solstice (UT)
1999 DEC-22 @ 07:44
2000 DEC-21 @ 13:37
2001 DEC-21 @ 19:21
2002 DEC-22 @ 01:14
2003 DEC-22 @ 07:03
2004 DEC-21 @ 12:41
The above dates and times are as accurate as the astronomical calculations
on The Dome of the Sky web site. 12 Times are in UT (Universal Time). This
used to be called Greenwich Mean Time or GMT. In North America, you can find
your local time by subtracting:
3 hours 30 minutes for Newfoundland time
4 hours for ATL
5 hours for EST
6 hours for CST
7 hours for MST
8 hours for PST
9 hours for ALA
10 hours for HAW
The winter solstice for 1999 is rather special. It involves the coincidence
of the solstice, full moon and lunar perigee on the same date. (The moon's
orbit around the earth is not circular; it is elliptical. "Perigee" simply
means the point in the moon's orbit where it is closest to earth.) At this
solstice, the moon will be full and at its maximum size (about 14% larger
that at its minimum size). The last time that this happened was in 1866. The
next full moon on 2000-JAN-21 will also be unusual. The first full moon of
the Millennium will be eclipsed.
References:
Stephen M. Wylen, "Holidays mark victory of light over darkness," The Bergen
Record, 1999-DEC-2. The essay is online at:
http://www.bergen.com:80/home/wylen02199912029.htm
B.G. Walker, "The Woman's Encyclopedia of Myths and Secrets," Harper & Row,
(1983), Page 166 to 167.
Charles Panati, "Sacred origins of profound things: The stories behind the
rites and rituals of the world's religions," Penguin Arkana, (1996), Page
215 to 217.
Ramadan on the Net, at: http://www.holidays.net/ramadan/
Janet & Stewart Farrar, "Eight Sabbats for Witches," Phoenix Publishing,
(1981), P. 143 to 144.
Mike Nichols, "Yule: Circa December 21," at:
http://paganwiccan.about.com/culture/paganwiccan/gi/dynamic/
Maeshowe images will be available at:
http://www.velvia.demon.co.uk/maeshowe/
http://www.geniet.demon.nl/
http://www.velvia.demon.co.uk/maeshowe/
Newgrange images will be at:
http://www.paddynet.com/island/newgrange/
http://www.artonview.com/gallery/ireland/newgrange/
A. Hirschfelder & P. Molin, "The encyclopedia of Native American religions,"
Facts on File, (1992).
J.W. Mavor & B.E. Dix, "Manitou: The sacred landscape of New Engand's Native
Civilization." Inner Traditions (1989).
Selena Fox, "Winter solstice celebrations for families and households,"
http://www.circlesanctuary.org/pholidays/SolsticePlanningGuide.html
"Find the equinoxes and solstices for a particular year," at
http://einstein.stcloudstate.edu/Dome/equiSol.html
"Hanukkah: The festival of lights," at:
http://www.education-world.com/a_lesson/lesson040.shtml
Copyright © 1999
Originally written: 1999-DEC-3
Latest update: 1999-DEC-12
Author: B.A. Robinson
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