Winter solstice is here and we’ve got five ways to celebrate
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The cold winter weather has been in full swing for a while now but according to the astrological calendar, winter technically starts today with the solstice.
Marking the longest night of the year, the winter solstice means we have now hit the official mark towards bringing back those lighter days (remember leaving the office before it was dark?).
Winter solstice is a night that is tied to ancient rituals, so here are five ways to celebrate our tilt back towards summertime and the new solar year with some modern twists.
NUDE CHARITY SWIM
Many here in Canberra will be having a crisp start to their winter solstice by plunging into Lake Burley Griffin for charity.
The event raises funds for Lifeline and encourages swimmers to wash away negativity and feel a sense of renewal for the upcoming solar year by stripping off and swimming in the freezing water.
Find out how to jump into this event or donate here.
YULE LOG BURNING
Enjoy the chance to sit by a roaring fire by burning a yule log. Introduced by the Pagans in their winter solstice celebrations, many Yule Tide rituals are now being carried across the globe for everyone to enjoy.
Yule logs are traditionally done with the root of a hardwood tree (any type of eucalyptus will do the trick here in Australia), in a ritual performed to help re-ignite the sun. Traditionally a Yule log fire is kept burning all night as a symbol of light on the darkest night of the year.
Don’t have a fireplace? Light some candles around your home to keep the dark at bay and herald the return of longer days or use a YouTube clip along with your electric heater to embrace the ritual.
If you want to make celebrating solstice a tradition, keep a piece of your log to start your new log next year!
MAKE A LANTERN
An activity for any age to help re-ignite the sun is making some lanterns that can be lit up to scare away whatever is lurking in the darkest night of the year.
For a simple lantern DIY cut a tall strip of baking paper that fits around a glass jar. Using glue, stick leaves onto the paper on the outside. Wrap the piece around the glass jar and tape it together. You can then pop a candle into your jar to let it glow and keep away the dark.
For those feeling extra crafty, instead of using a jar, tie together some sticks to make a foundation for your baking paper to wrap around.
COOK A SOLSTICE FEAST
Make it a night to share with family or friends by cooking up a feast to share with some loved ones. How does orange and carrot soup, orange hot chocolate, and some orange cake sound? Also, if you’re sensing a theme here you’d be bang on the money.
Oranges symbolise the return of the sun in many winter solstice traditions, and with the bonus of having them in season and jampacked with vitamins to keep these pesky colds away, they make the perfect ingredient to build your solstice meal around.
DONATE
Winter solstice is a time to reflect and look forward to the year to come. Why not start the new solar year by helping those in need through donating or volunteering to one of Canberra’s many charities?
Find a list of local charities to donate to here.
