Winter Solstice

The Winter Solstice which occurred on Sunday 21st heralded the start of longer daylight hours to come. This is the first day of Yule which lasts for 12 days.

The traditions followed at Christmas have origins in the Yule traditions.

Winter solstice celebrates the longer days of light and candles were lit to welcome the light. The candles were of distinct colours green for the Ok Tree being the king of the forest. Red for the Holly and its bright red berries which gave colour to the countryside and food to birds. White candle to symbolise the cold of winter. White candles were dyed yellow using onion and those candles represented the lengthening daylight hours. Candles were lit during the solstice and subsequently during the following 12 days.

The winter solstice is and was a time of reflection, of softness, of stopping and breathing gently. It is a time for comfort food which nourish and give a hug. Soup especially vegetable soup was traditional. Long before refrigerators and ice houses, the vegetables which could be stored over the winter in dry sheds, were used for a hearty winter soup. Soda bread was also made both brown and white.

The yule log was brought into the house. In some countries the log was brought in at the winter solstice while in other countries it was the day after the solstice. The Christmas log cake is now made in so many households originated with the Yule Log.

I will have the white candles lighting to symbolise the daylight hours getting longer and the light filling the hearts of people everywhere. The Christmas log will be made and hopefully this year it won’t be a total disaster. A big pot of vegetable soup will be centre stage on the table surrounded by bread rolls made by better half who has a light touch when it comes to bread.