Winter Solstice - any recommendations?

[Hallgerda]

I'm interested in doing something to mark the Solstice in an appreciation of the natural world while having fun sort of way. Can anyone recommend any good places to go to see the sunrise (yes, I know it happens even here in South London, but I'm sure there are places with less light pollution and a better view) or any not-too-spiritual events (we're atheists). I see there's something going on in Brighton - Burning of the Clocks iirc - has anyone been and was it good?

[glitterfairy]

Hallgerda thanks for this. I dont know about some pagans but many here celebrate in their own special way. The great thing about paganism is that you can create some of your own rituals as well as taking some old ones and that there are no universal rules that must be obeyed. You can take what you like and what suits you and your family. I am not sure I would like an organised event.

I will be bringing evergreens in such as holly for protection, ivy for the promise that life is going on and misteltoe for fertility. I know that some people have a ceilidh so you could look for those. I also will use a lot of candles and do some meditation on the year to come and what it is I want from it. I will go for a walk and do some silent meditation to mark the day. Hope that helps.

[Hallgerda]

Thank you, glitterfairy. I particularly like the sound of the evergreens and candles. If you don't mind me asking, how do you involve your children in your celebration? (I can't see my three boys doing silent meditation, but I could be wrong...)

[Wisp]

We make a small bonfire from all the autumn leaves, branches, conkers acorns etc from our season table to clear it all for the winter table.
We make lanterns and sit out in the garden until it gets dark.
Hope you find something special

[glitterfairy]

Dont mind you asking at all. Both my dd's do meditation with me my ds plays on his nintendo! My eldest has her own altar and usually meditates once a week (she is 11) and spends time collecting things to represent the seasons to decorate the house.

They all love fires and candles and I never impose anything on them they are free to choose their own paths.

[jabberwocky]

We do a Solstice dinner. I found these great candle holders with little suns on them to use on the table and we give thanks for the return of the sun. Dh and I also exchange Solstice gifts on that night (still do Christmas with the family, you know how it is ).

I also made a CD of "sun songs" as sort of a fun thing to play on Solstice. Lots of different songs with sun in the name.

We also decorate similar to glitterfairy.

[squidette]

I am also planning on marking the solstice this year - having 'comeout' only at the start of this year as an atheist and humanist.

I found this site - solstice guide to be really helpful in understanding some of the traditions too.

I wanted to keep the 'celebration' feel around December, but not in a religious way - with decorations, candles, gifts of giving, yummy homemade food, merrymaking, quiet contemplation of my place here, friendship, awe at the natural world, and so on. And now i am quite content that i can do this, without being hypocritical or 'using' the Christian Christmas as an excuse for perceived atheist material indulgence. And strange as it may seem, some of my friends that are believers DO think this!

So this will be my first year with something new and of my choosing, rather than feeling forced to grin-and-bear-it.

Have fun!

[Hallgerda]

Thank you all!

squidette, I'm finding that website very helpful. It's great that you are finding your own way to celebrate so soon after "coming out" - it's taken me 20 years of unsatisfactory Christmas celebrations to reach this point.

wisp, I like the sound of the lanterns. I'd love to do a bonfire but I'm in London.

jabberwocky, the sun songs CD is a lovely idea.

glitterfairy, it's very interesting about your son doing Nintendo while you and your daughters meditate - I note that squidette's recommended site had a special link for girls and not boys. But then I've wondered whether some computer games are really a safe substitute for boys going off into the wilderness to prove themselves as men (which entails having enough respect for the environment not to mess it up for the rest of the tribe as well as just being able to survive), so maybe your son's found a different path to a similar place?

[glitterfairy]

The girls love all of this and take to it quite naturally my ds doesnt like it and finds it hard to a)concentrate and b)do something different. Strangely he is the most empathic of the bunch and can be incredibly caring and sensitive just doesnt like sharing that with others or lots of silence.