Happy Winter Solstice from Simply Living

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A winter solstice landscape. Photo Courtesy of Angie Sheu

Ahhh…the first day of winter is almost upon us! Here in Central Ohio, it may feel as though winter has already settled in, with cold temperatures and early snow arriving weeks ago. Still, the official turning of the season holds deep astronomical, cultural, and spiritual meaning.

This year (I write this in 2025), the winter solstice falls on Sunday, December 21, at 10:03 AM EST. Far from being just another date on the calendar, the solstice marks a powerful threshold. This event is one that humans across time and different cultures have recognized as a moment of reflection.

What is the Winter Solstice and Why Does It Happen?

The winter solstice is the moment when the Northern Hemisphere is tilted farthest away from the Sun. Because of Earth’s axial tilt, sunlight strikes the Northern Hemisphere at its most indirect angle on this day. As a result, we experience the fewest hours of daylight and the longest night of the year.

Time for Reflection. Photo courtesy of Angie Scheu

For those of us north of the equator, the winter solstice marks the astronomical beginning of winter. In the Southern Hemisphere, this same moment marks the summer solstice.

After the solstice passes, daylight slowly begins to increase again by just a minute or two at first, but steadily grows until we reach the summer solstice, which is the longest day of the year. This is why many cultures view the winter solstice not only as the start of winter, but also as the “return of the light”.

Think of it this way: although the solstice ushers in winter, it also promises that brighter days lie ahead. 

When Is the Winter Solstice?

In the Northern Hemisphere, the winter solstice typically occurs between December 20 and December 23, most often on December 20 or 21. The exact timing shifts slightly each year due to the way our calendar aligns with Earth’s orbit around the Sun.

Winter Solstice Culturally Honored

Indigenous cultures across the American continent observed the winter solstice with reverence, often aligning ceremonies, burial grounds, architecture, and community gatherings with the Sun’s movement.

Native American Solstice Ritual. Photo courtesy of Angie Scheu
  • Ancestral Pueblo peoples (Southwest): Structures such as those at Chaco Canyon and Mesa Verde are aligned with solar events, including the solstice. The return of the Sun symbolized balance, order, and renewal.
  • Hopewell and Mississippian cultures (Eastern Woodlands): Earthworks and mound complexes, including some right here in present-day Ohio, are believed to have astronomical alignments tied to solstices and equinoxes, reflecting a sophisticated understanding of seasonal cycles. 
  • Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) peoples: Midwinter ceremonies marked a spiritual New Year. This was considered a time of gratitude, renewal, oral storytelling, and giving thanks for the natural world.
  • Mesoamerican civilizations (Maya, Aztec): The Sun played a central role in cosmology. Temples and cities were carefully designed to track solar movements, reinforcing the solstice as a sacred turning point.

Across Indigenous traditions, the solstice was not merely an astronomical event. This was a reminder of humanity’s relationship with the Earth, the seasons, and the responsibility to live in balance and reciprocity.

Winter Solstice Traditions Globally

Solstice Ritual. Photo courtesy of Angie Scheu

Across the world, cultures have long marked the winter solstice with festivals celebrating light, rebirth, and perseverance through darkness:

  • Yule (Northern Europe): A pre-Christian festival honoring the rebirth of the Sun, featuring evergreen boughs, fires, and feasting many elements of which influenced modern winter holidays.
  • Saturnalia (Ancient Rome): A weeklong celebration of abundance, role reversal, and joy held near the solstice.
  • Dongzhi (China and East Asia): A festival centered on balance (yin and yang), family gatherings, and nourishing foods.
  • Inti Raymi (Inca tradition): Honoring the Sun god Inti, recognizing the solstice as a turning point toward longer days.
Light a candle. Photo courtesy of Angie Scheu

Ideas for Honoring the Winter Solstice

You don’t need an ancient monument or elaborate ritual to honor the solstice. Simple practices can help you feel more aligned and connected with the magic of the winter season:

  • Light a candle at sunset to symbolize hope and the return of the Sun.
  • Spend time outdoors, even if briefly, noticing the stillness of winter.
  • Reflect and rest! Winter invites us to slow down, release what no longer serves you, and conserve your energy. 
  • Practice gratitude, perhaps by journaling, sending a handwritten note or card, or sharing reflections with loved ones.
  • Cook seasonal foods such as root vegetables, curries, soups, and warming spices.
  • Set intentions for your months ahead. Put some plans on the calendar that you genuinely look forward to. No stress – just planting metaphorical seeds that will grow with the returning light.
Solstice foods. Photo courtesy of Angie Scheu

What Does Winter Mean to You?

The winter solstice invites us to pause at the threshold between darkness and light. It asks us to honor our rest, embrace stillness, and trust in cycles and processes larger than ourselves.

As the shortest day of the year passes and the light slowly returns, we can be reminded that even in the deepest winter, and even during periods of rest, transformation is already underway.

We welcome your comments. What does winter mean to you? Do you have traditions you find meaningful during winter solstice? 

Further Reading

Thanks!

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