Winter Solstice

We have arrived at the winter solstice (December 21 and 22nd),the shortest day of the year and the celebration of Alban Arthan/ Yule, which symbolize the renewal of light through the dark winter. Decorations of mistletoe, holly and evergreens are displayed upon houses symbolizing that new life will return in the spring.

Alban Arthan is Welsh meaning *Light of Winter," or a poetic meaning, "Light of Arthur." It is a celebration of the return of the Divine Child, the Mabon, and the rebirth of the golden solstice Sun that will bring back the warmth, light and life to the Earth again. A main feature of this celebration is the Yule log. Traditionally, logs are burned in a central fireplace. The log  must come from one's own land or be a gift, but not bought. It is ignited with a remaining piece of last year's Yule log,thus passing Light from one year to another. The log is burned slowly for 12 days in the fireplace before being extinguished and its ashes are stowed away til springtime then mixed with seeds and spread over the fields symbolizing the power of the Sun.

In Druid tradition, the Alban Arthan represents  the battle between the Oak King, or Divine Child (God of waxing Light) and the Holly King, or Dark Lord(God of waning Light), in which the Oak King wins and rules until he is defeated by the Holly King at the time of the summer solstice. Furthermore, the cauldron of Dagda, symbolizing the promise that nature will bear fruit and care for all living beings on Earth, and Brighid, the bearer of the flame of inspiration, that penetrates the mind and soul, like the Sun that gives rebirth to the light and penetrates the darkest time of the year, reign upon the winter solstice.


To All Warm Blessings.