The celebration of the Winter Solstice, the border between autumn and winter, is known by many Pagans as Yule, a name derived from a Scandinavian seasonal festival that was imported into the British Isles by Vikings in the 11th century. According to the 13th-century Icelandic author Snorri Sturluson, Yule had been celebrated at least as long as an October “Winter Nights” festival that is described in the earliest Scandinavian literature, placing its origins firmly in prehistory. Though little evidence has survived, it seems clear that British pagans had been celebrating the winter solstice for at least half a millennium before the Vikings came. In the 5th century, St. Patrick excoriated Irish pagans who venerated the sun and would have celebrated the solstices and equinoxes. Anglo-Saxon and Welsh sources from before the 11th century also refer to a “midwinter” festival held at this time of year—for them the solstice was considered the midpoint of winter, and it is still celebrated as such throughout Great Britain. However, in America, due to climatic differences, the Winter Solstice marks the beginning of the season. In his 1996 book The Stations of the Sun, historian Ronald Hutton notes that we know little of how ancient British pagans celebrated the season, but we can be sure of “the existence of a major pre-Christian festival marking the opening of the new year, at the moment at which the sun had reached the winter solstice and its strength was being renewed. There is testimony to this in the Anglo-Saxon, the Viking, and the Welsh components of the medieval British heritage” (p.8).
Since the Winter Solstice is the longest night of the year (and consequently the shortest day), it seems appropriate that the theme of Yule celebrations should be “Darkness.” What does darkness mean to us? From prehistoric times, human beings have associated darkness with fear and danger, but it also provides respite—the perfect conditions for introspection, rest, and sleep. There is also a special beauty to lights in the dark; colors become more vivid and our attention more focused. The universe itself is predominantly darkness, punctuated by points of sparkling light and wisps of color. The glowing sun and the Earth, that pale blue dot, spiral through the dark unafraid. We can do likewise: hunker down, snuggle up, and take some time to contemplate the darkness within us. In some ways, the Winter Solstice feels like a low point; the light is at its weakest and the world seems dull and gray, the darkness can feel relentless and overwhelming. But we should be mindful that it is the shadows that are now in retreat, for we are crossing over into the waxing half of the year.
