By Nikki Starcat Shields,
My family has been hosting Winter Solstice gatherings for more than 25 years. I’m not sure how the tradition began, but we keep our backyard Solstice bonfire burning all night long. Perhaps it’s because I’m a night owl, so greeting the sun at sunrise doesn’t sound appealing, unless I stay up! Whatever the origin, it has become our way of honoring the rebirth of the sun and helping to bring back the light.
Although winter is just beginning, the days start to grow longer again just after the Solstice. This has been a source of hope for people throughout history. As we hold the vigil all night, I like to think that we’re helping to encourage the sun to grow stronger, to shine just that much brighter.
We cast our circle at sunset, with the ritual lighting of the bonfire. One of the first things we did when we moved to this land, which once belonged to my grandmother, is to build a huge fire pit. The Winter Solstice fire is laid with care, topped with last year’s Yule tree. The audible “whoosh!” when it erupts into flames marks the start of the festivities.
After welcoming the elements and the Divine, and making some music, we usually share food and drink, and exchange gifts with friends. We keep the sacred circle open all night. Not everyone stays up, of course. Many of the attendees head home before midnight. But there are always the stalwart few who take turns tending the fire. We come and go, tromping the snowy, lantern-lit path from the cold wintry night to the warmth of our home. We listen to music, play board games, and switch from mead to coffee to help us stay awake.
Even with good company, this is the longest night of the year. It’s not an easy vigil. I remember the first time my children managed to stay awake the whole night—they were so proud! My son, who was 9, had a tearful meltdown upon discovering that he still had to go to bed, just at a different time of day. Now they are both grown, and my daughter will be keeping the vigil with us this year after moving back home from out west.
When the very first hints of light finally start showing above the trees, it’s a revelation! There is such magick in that hint of golden yellow, which expands to a glowing orb. At full sunrise, we release the circle, thanking all the beings who held our vigil with us. Just a few revelers remain standing. Sometimes there are pancakes to be shared afterwards. Other times, we’re ready to rest as soon as the fire is safely out.
This pandemic year will be different, as it’s just our immediate family who will be celebrating. But the fire will be kept, the tradition goes on, and a couple of us will still stumble to bed after the sun comes up, exhausted and happy. The sun will return.
Nikki Starcat Shields is an author, book midwife, and leader of transformational writing retreats. She's also a licensed Pagan priestess. Nikki teaches people to be Thriving Artists, writing their heartfelt books while also nurturing themselves and their creative lives. She lives in Hollis, Maine and adores reading, cats, and spending time by the ocean. She can be found at http://www.nikkistarcatshields.com
Winter Solstice Path photo by G.E. Nelson Photography
