Darkness can be a metaphor for so many things – depression, despair, evil, death – none of them positive. But Longest Night reminds us that light (joy, hope, goodness, life) will come again. After all, without darkness, we wouldn’t recognize or appreciate light. Winter Solstice rituals have important for thousands of years, and this year they will be even more meaningful, as we close out one of the worst years the human race has collectively experienced.
What’s so special to me about all the centuries-old Longest Night celebrations is just how universal they are in acknowledging human faith in rebirth and renewal. Pagan Yuletide, Jewish Hanukkah, Christian Christmas, Chinese Dongzhi Festival, Hopi Soyal – each marks the turning of the planet back toward the sun and the hope this instills in us, that we’ll survive another year. Now we understand why nights get longer and shorter in regions far from the equator, but it’s fascinating to think about how ancient peoples attributed it to the gods or some intentional force.
This year we’re also being treated to the astronomical rarity of the Jupiter-Saturn “Great Conjunction” – which is truly uncanny in its timing, since we need this phenomenon of bright light more than ever this year. We haven’t witnessed it during night-time hours since 1226! If anyone believes in miracles or spiritual symbolism, this would be quite the thing to ponder. Some scientists believe this planetary convergence may have been what happened to create the bright “Christmas star” mentioned in the bible that led the wise men to the manger.
My lifelong fascination with the Druids and their henge building is stirred each year as we approach the Solstice. Several years ago I wrote a poem about it, and I had forgotten about the poem until a dear and talented friend shared it with me over the phone the other day. Among the many pieces Paul has chosen to memorize during the Covid lockdown (as a worthwhile mental exercise), he chose this poem of mine. What a beautiful honor! I’ve included the poem here, along with an audio recording of Paul reading it for others to enjoy.
(Just a note about the opening line of the poem – I hope no one finds it offensive. Sometimes poets choose words and phrases for their sound as much as their meaning, and that’s what I did here. Of course Christians didn’t “steal” the Solstice. They wisely incorporated the powerful metaphors associated with Longest Night into their new message of hope so as to resonate with their followers. But phrasing it that way wouldn’t be nearly as poetic!)
Happy Longest Night, everyone! May 2021 be a year full of light and love and healing.
—
Winter Solstice
—
Maybe it’s alright that the
Christians stole the Solstice,
carried it off to church and
dressed it up with stars and crosses
and called the Son their own.
—
Those with ancient blood know
the wreaths and candles and songs
tell a different tale wherein the
promise of the Sun’s rebirth
is powerful enough to bring hope,
and where Elder and Birch are the
wise men who share secrets
with the guardians in their
sacred woodland circles.
—
Once Earth’s darkness told us
to be still and contemplate her
deep womb from which all
life springs; the ancient tombs
at Maeshowe and Newgrange
glowed with the first rays
of our reinvigored god as
he lit upon the buried cairns
promising life would come again.
—
So womb gave way to manger
and Earth’s light to holy child, now
called the hope of all mankind. But on
the longest night under the black
dome of ice, Earth whispers still.
—
Images by: history.com, GroupWorks, CaptureLandscapes