Dec 2023: Winter Solstice
Originally published on October 17, 2023 -Archived as part of my Sacred Tools and Card & Compass content
Winter.
For some, this word often evokes images of snow, ice, blustery Arctic air, treacherous roads, and driving conditions typical of the Northern Hemisphere. However, it also represents the quiet slumber of nature, where there is rest and recovery, shedding the old before becoming new again in the following spring. It is also the absence of light; the warm summer sun has faded into an almost distant past, and in some places, the bright solar disc barely kisses the horizon before vanishing once again.
The December solstice (e.g., hibernal solstice or midwinter) occurs on December 21st this year, at 10:27 pm, marking the first day of astronomical winter. This date can shift yearly, depending on Earth's rotation, as it concerns the Sun’s center position above the Tropic of Capricorn. Meteorological winter is designated as the period from December 1 to the end of February, which is 90 days from the first day of spring.
Like the Autumn Equinox (Mabon) and Samhain, many traditions surround the solstice. This time has been significant since Neolithic (late Stone Age) times. Not only does Newgrange, a passage tomb in Ireland built around 3200 BCE, align with the winter solstice, but so does Stonehenge in England. Festivals and feasts brought people together on the darkest night of the year, but here are some fascinating facts regarding this event:
Solstice is derived from solstrium broken down into sol (sun) and sistere (standstill) for its pause over the Tropic of Capricorn.
If you are missing the sun, there is good reason: the solar celestial appearance is reduced from its maximum length of 16 hours and 38 minutes on the summer solstice in June to a stingy 8-ish hour.
Several celebrations and traditions occur during this period, and various characters appear depending on the culture. Continue reading to discover how humans have transformed this into folklore and magic.
Most likely, Yule (Jul, Juul, Jol) is derived from either the Proto-Germic word “jehwla,” meaning party or celebration, or the Old Finnish language of “juhla,” meaning festival. Regardless of the spelling, it encompasses many festivities with roots in Swedish, Danish, English, Icelandic, and German heritage, as well as other cultures.
Although traditional Germanic Yule is celebrated separately from the winter solstice, which occurs almost a month later, Wiccans traditionally celebrate Yule on the longest night of the year. Like Samhain, modern American Christmas traditions are tied to this holiday and span different days depending on the culture.
A yule log represents the light that breaks up the darkness of this long night, with the importance of continuous burn during the twelve nights. Great care was taken to select the right block, and it could be placed under a bed for protection from lightning and, ironically, fire as well. Fire sparks could designate the luck for the upcoming year. The Yule log has traditions in Portugal, France, Ireland, the United Kingdom, Spain, the United States, Italy, and other countries.
This log was symbolic of the heat and life-giving warmth of the sun, and partygoers would often drink mead or Wassail, a hot mulled cider, ale, or wine with spices, around the fire where the Yule log burns or as part of Yuletide or Christmas-time caroling, depending on the culture.
Soyal is a ceremony of the Hopi & Zuni Native Americans. There is a focus on enticing the sun to return, and for these people, it also marks the commencement of the Wheel of the Year, which includes other significant astronomical dates such as the summer solstice and fall/spring equinoxes. During Soyal, tribes prepared feathered prayer sticks known as pahos, typically in threes, for the creator, sun and moon. In addition, kivas, underground ceremonial chambers, were opened to honor and interact with Kachinas. Kachinas are regarded as spirits who interact with humans, as they possess a life force. Therefore, a Kachina does not represent a specific concept, such as a creature or a God/Goddess mentioned below, but rather encompasses all things that exist.
An example of a feared spirit is the Kallikantzaros found in Greek and other European mythologies. They are troublesome creatures who reside underground, constantly sawing away at the Tree of Life, wishing for its collapse. However, they resurfaced during the solstice, creating havoc for humans for 12 days. Much like Samhain, there were safeguards mortals could take for protection, such as burning a yule log, singing a specific song, or throwing sausages and a donut-like dessert on the roof of the home for a distraction.
The mischievous creatures could be kept away with a black cross on the door or by burning incense. Another interesting way to distract them is to put out a colander, as they cannot count above three.
Louhi, in Finnish folklore, is referred to as the witch goddess of the North, responsible for kidnapping the sun and moon and hiding them in a mountain, creating the long, cold winter. Many other fireside stories about troublesome monsters preying on humans focus on taking advantage of the darker nights and the lack of light, threatening to retain the sun indefinitely.
Contrary to the malevolent beings, the solstice also brings friendly folk, such as the Scandinavian Goddess Beiwe (Beaivi), who travels through the night sky on a structure crafted from reindeer bones to bring back evergreen greenery as the days lengthen towards the spring.
In Italy, during the solstice, Goddess La Befena rides her broom worldwide, bestowing blessings on children who behave, leaving small gifts and candies upon her visit. Befena is most commonly associated with the 12 days after Yule, until Epiphany Eve. Traditionally, there was an ogre and a witch, later transformed into Santa Claus and Befena.
Speaking of the Italians, the Romans have an ancient festival called Saturnalia, which begins around the 17th and initially was three days but now encompasses seven. This festival of light leads up to winter solstice, with plenty of wax candles, symbolizing the abundance of knowledge and truth. The candle flames also symbolized the return of sunlight after the solstice’s night of darkness.
Akin to Samhain, leniency was abundant during Saturnalia; work stopped, schools closed, businesses ceased, and armies rested. Even criminals received a reprieve from the death penalty. Time passed more favorably during Saturnalia, marked by activities such as gambling, singing, music, and exchanging gifts. Practices also included electing a mock king during this celebration. The “Lord of Misrule” was elected through random coins hidden in cakes. Not straying far from the wreath-making or tree-decorating traditions of Yule, homes are often decorated with evergreens, boughs of laurel, and lamps burning to ward off spirits of darkness.
Many traditions surrounding the Winter Solstice are intertwined with modern Christmas, New Year's, and other end-of-year celebrations. The image for this blog is some of my Yule traditions: a simmer pot with fruit & spices, a Yule witch tree, and pomander balls.
No matter how you celebrate, I hope this holiday season brings you wicked magic.
Until next time, let your inner compass guide you. 🧭
💫Tara
© 2023–2025 Tara Palazzolo, True Path Co. All rights reserved. Originally published on Wicked FairyTale® and updated for True Path Co for timeless clarity and seasonal alignment. This piece is part of the Traveler’s Codex—designed to support your journey of inner growth and sovereignty. Sharing is welcome with proper credit. No reproduction or redistribution is permitted without written permission.