Date The Winter Solstice or December 21

Other Names and Associated Festivals Yule, Christmas, An Fheill-Shlinnein, Alban Arthan, Giula, Geola, Sol Invictus

General Information

The Winter Solstice is the shortest day and the longest night of the year. But we know that after a long struggle, the light will overtake the darkness. In some traditions, the Divine Child of the Goddess is born at dawn and he will bring the light back to the earth and in others the Sun God wins a battle over darkness. There are many traditions and explinations for the festivities of this day which usually include feasting and merriment and often include giftgiving.

Symbols

• Incense- Frankincense, myrrh, pine
• Animals- Stags, squirrels, wrens, robins, juncos, cardinals
• Colors- red, green, gold, silver and white
• Herbs- holly, mistletoe, evergreens, yew, fir, birch, oak, ivy, bay-laurel, pine, ginger, cinnamon, valerian
• Symbols- Yule log, evergreen trees, mistletoe, holly, sun, star, even-armed cross, wreaths, candles, any sort of light or lamp, animals with their winter coats on
• Food- Cider, apples, pork, nuts, citrus, dried fruit, fruit cakes, mincemeat pies, figgy pudding
• Gods and Goddesses- The Oak King, The Holly King, the Dagda, Brigid, Poseidon, Saturn, Helios, Balder, Odin, Lugh, The Horned God, The Green Man, Frey, Jesus