In pre-Christian times the solstice was an important time when the sun miraculously alters its course and the days shift to becoming longer, the nights shorter. In a World without electric light this was a profound reason for thanksgiving.

People got nervous as the days got shorter, because they could see perpetual night coming. They didn't understand the rotation of the earth and how it makes the days shorter and longer. The Celtic priests and other leaders of early faiths in Northern Europe would promise to use their 'power' to re-ignite the sun. In the old Celtic tradition the evening of the longest night involved the local 'priest' ordering the burning of a pine tree on the nearest high hill, the spot closest to the Gods, which became a precursor to beacon fire sites for communication.

Local people would be told to drag a pine tree to the top of the highest hill around December 21st. With great ceremony the priest would assert his power and control over the sun by commanding it to return to full brilliance in the following days, then firing the tree. In this way he was assured that his power was also recognised by the people he controlled. In a cunning reversal of burning a pine tree outside, we now bring them inside and sacrifice them through lack of water for Christmas.

Christianity was spread most effectively by subsuming 'ancient' beliefs to its own ends. The practice of blood sacrifice common in ancient times, is replaced in Catholicism by wine and wafers, a metaphor for flesh and blood. The ancient celebration of the longest night is subsumed in the ever more materialistic dash to Christmas, now a Saturnalia of materialism where even the original Christian message is lost, let alone any pagan meanings.

Traditionally the longest night 'Walpurgisnacht' is associated with dark magic and lots of naked romping about and making homunculii and other horrid things. Here is confusion between Christian images of the devil and those of earlier Celtic 'Pan' like entities, the 'genus locii' of special places. Herne the Hunter of popular myth and the like. Also this time of year the sun is in Capricorn, a horned goat, contributing to another cultural mish-mash with many strands. But if you have had enough of Christmas as a celebration of consumer capitalism, return to the old ways and make simply make thanks for the coming of the new light.

The ancient Celtic cycles tie the winter solstice to a time of celebration - the return of the light - a natural beginning to a New Year, a letting go of the old. There are many activities from ancient times with a positive flavour, and quite frankly its way too cold to go romping about with nothing on. The Winter Solstice is a time for new affirmations and wishes, positive spells and energising prayers.

You will need:
A strong metal container for a small fire
Dried lavender herb or essential oil of lavender
Dried pine cones
A new white candle

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Get your container, preferably silver, and take it out under the full moon, the night of the Goddess.
Wash it with the rays of the moon.

Put in the dried pine cones and place it safely outside onto a base of local stone if possible. Light the pine cones with the wick of a fresh white candle and stand back to let them burn. Sprinkle dried lavender on the flames while it burns, or use a sprinkle or three of lavender essential oil.

When it burns down, gaze into the embers while they still show lights, and see what you can see.

Then go out into the woods and quiet places and see what you can find playing in the moonbeams and starlight.