Walking the Spiral

Under a blanket of stars and bundled in coats and hats to protect us from the chill, we celebrate in an open field.  Notes of hay and horses mingle with the scent of wood smoke from the fire.  Laughter rises on the breeze in the night along with our congenial chatter.  Finally, it’s time to walk, one by one, around the spiral; a spiral constructed of evergreens with unlit candles nestled symmetrically along the curving pathway.  The widest arch is roughly ten feet wide and swirls toward the center where a flickering fire burns.  We begin with the youngest and stroll, round and round, to the center in darkness.  We each light a candle and when the last one exits, the spiral is alight.  It is the Winter Solstice.  The celebration of the longest night of the year; the peak between the light and the dark. Each night until the Summer Solstice will be shorter as each day will be longer.  This is the night we celebrate the coming of the light.

In ancient times, this was a significant time; when the Earth was quiet and cold, when plants and animals alike would retreat and restore themselves to get ready for the Spring. This time of year has always been ripe with celebrations and rituals of all sorts.  Our family celebrates the winter solstice with friends and family, food and fun.  We also celebrate the holidays by decorating a tree and exchanging gifts with loved ones.  My kids leave drawings, notes and sweet treats for Santa beside the front door, since Santa can’t come down the chimney where there’s a fire in the wood stove.

Every family has their own well practiced traditions.  What are some of your holiday rituals? Let me know in the comments below.