The sun child stirs in the depths of a snowy womb as he hears Winter Solstice’s call. Encircled deep within the moon’s belly, he invites us to ask, “what is immersed in the longest night?” As a seed in the chilled earth, through this time of wide darkness, we find our shadow and bring it forth.

In stillness, we rest, going inward. We draw the long curtains down across the windowpanes, diving underneath covers of down and soft chemise and sweet snuggly cotton. We wrap ourselves in the stories of our ancestors, in the stories of who we have been, and we honor the past as we feel the stirring of the light.

On the longest night we surrender to mother moon’s darkness, we feel her calling to us on whispered promises of Yule. We sleep, we find trance, we move ever so gently, ever so slowly, honoring the darkness, honoring the cold earth, until we feel the gentle thrumming of the coming of the light.

Do you feel its rhythm, as you lay in dark stillness in the moments before dawn?

Do you feel the building of the new light’s energy, the rising of a birth song, pulsing like the great drums of time, a turning wheel, a rhythm of hope, of return, of cycling seasons of rebirth?

Do you find your feet slowly moving, your head swaying in a gentle dance, perhaps drumming your fingers on your bed, on snowy earth, on a yoga mat, on a lover’s heart?

Dawn’s light pierces through…across the great stone circles of Stonehenge and Menhir do Almendres and Newgrange. Gathered in great swells, we sing the goddess songs, the birth songs, the bringing of the light. And here he is born, the Sun God, Child of Promise, walking toward us on that first beam of light, the great masculine birthed from the goddess’ mooned glory.

Winter Solstice, Yule, honors the longest night, and the return of the light. In the Northern Hemisphere we begin our celebrations on its eve, December 21, 2015 this year. And we gather long into the night, waiting for dawn on the 22nd, the birth of the light.

Simple Winter Solstice/Yule Ritual

Set a large unlit candle (colored red, green, white or silver) in the center of the room. If you’re creating an altar, decorate it with evergreens such as pine, rosemary, bay, juniper and cedar. If you are circling with others, give each a smaller unlit candle. Turn off all the lights in your home or room. If you are outside, turn off any candles or artificial lights. If you are casting a circle, do so, calling in the elements and honoring the sacred rite.

Feel into the darkness, lying down on your own or in a circle. Find a place of rest, moving underground, under root, feeling into the quiet of the longest night. Perhaps someone leads a guided meditation, perhaps some find their way toward trance.

After the meditation/silence is complete, whoever is leading the circle slowing begins to revel the circlers from their slumber with chanting, a song or music. Organically and feeling the rhythm of the song, the circle finds its way from stillness into movement. This can turn into gentle dancing, or participants can simply move toward a comfortable seat.

Honor the darkness within, and perhaps take turns speaking about what you have discovered about your shadow, what you have found inside of your underground self, moving counterclockwise though the circle.

When you are ready, light the large candle in the center, to symbolize the coming of the light. Each circle member then lights her own candle in a clockwise direction, speaking any words of what she is calling into the light for herself as the Sun King is born.

End with song or dance, hot spiced apple cider and treats. Wake up at dawn to watch the sunrise if you desire, either way, ensuring you sit in nature, and honor the sun.

Photo credit: john mcsporran