[Background info about this series of posts found here]
The Winter Solstice arrives today at dawn, following the longest night of the year which started at sundown yesterday. The Sun has been reborn and the shortest day of the year commences! From today forward, sunlight will increase each day as darkness recedes. This Solstice was a moment of great significance and celebration to our ancestors, and to modern pagans honouring the Old Ways.
Night of long darkness.
Candles burn.
Songs call the light:
"Return, touch our hearts"
--Antonia Matthew
Today the centre candle is lit to conclude the 5-week-long ritual of waiting. My centre candle is a slim, hand-dipped beeswax taper which I made probably around 20 years ago at a witchy crafting circle. The beeswax had been gathered from a hollow forest tree which wild bees had turned into their hive. I never lit the candle until now because I knew it would not take long to be consumed. I was saving it for a special occasion, and I guess this is it!
Thank you for joining me over the past 5 weeks of conducting this ritual. I hope you found some meaning in it as well. The Winter Solstice marks the start of the pagan festival of Yule and so here are my Yuletide wishes for you all --
[Photos #1 and #2 © Debra She Who Seeks, 2025;
the memes are courtesy of the internet]
37 comments:
Oh, yipeee, the days are getting longer - time so runs!
...always let your light shine.
Happy solstice, everyone! The light will return, in more than one way.
Again, Merry Solstice! Time to play George Harrison's "Here Comes the Sun"...
Thanks for thinking of me ~
bobbie
I really like your wreath and ritual. I love beeswax candles, though I have never attempted to make them myself.
Now that the winter solstice has arrived Christmas isn't all Merry... from the remaining dark winter nights there's many creatures we must be aware of.
Merry Yule to you, Debra! And Happy Winter Solstice! Your beeswax candle is filled with significance, so lovely!
Happy Solstice to you! I love the significance of that center candle and that you no longer have to wait to use and enjoy it.
Like you, my wife and I celebrate the seasons. It doesn't require a god to give thanks to, or a community to celebrate. A walk in the woods, away from civilization, and we realize how fortunate we are, through chance or chaos, to be alive to appreciate the awesomeness of nature.
Happy Solstice to you.
the Ol'Buzzard
Todays the day that should be Jan 1st.
“This Yule” brought tears to my eyes.
Happiest of Winter to you. I've begun my one goal for the season. Nice way to celebrate. Wishing you a WONDERFUL 2026, Debra.
Happy Solstice! I'm relieved daylight will increase.
Love,
Janie
Lots of light from your wreath. Happy Solstice to you!
Merry Yule, Debra!
We sat out on the patio in the warm sunshine for awhile this afternoon. It's only 67 degrees but the sun felt good. Bring it on, I say, though we have a forecast of thunderstorms and highs in the 50's for Christmas Day. Happy Solstice to you.
Blessed Yule. We have litha the longest day.
Dear Debra, everything looks gorgeous! Happy Solstice, dear friend!
Happy Solstice! Am I ready for that sun!
This is a lovely post. This: "a hollow tree which wild bees have turned into a hive" reminds me that bees have returned again to our hollow tree in the grounds here after someone complained last summer/autumn and the hive got sprayed and all the bees were killed. I was so happy to see the bees come back just a few weeks ago.
Everyday now, looking for more light.
have enjoyed seeing your rituals and your added humour! I come from a long female history of wiccan/pagans - my brothers and I have kept up some family traditions despite not being local to each other, it brings us together. I loved making my wreath, decorating my tree and getting out in the woods to leave a little offering at the big oak tree. I went to a carols by candlelight service in a church that dates back to the 12th century and felt that it was a special place, I don't disrespect or denigh religion, I use it and embrace it where it fits. I hope your year ahead will be filled with blessings - and that there will be many more of your humourous posts to come. Betty.
Happy Solstice!
What a beautiful post, Debra. I love that you lit the beeswax candle this year. I lit candles this year that I have been "saving" because they were too special to light....really? What is wrong with me?! They are made to be lit and enjoyed, right?
Happy Solstice, my sweet Canadian friend. I love visiting you and hope, now that life is settling into my 'new norm' to be able to be around the blogging world more often. Christmas hugs and love-Diana
ps-Beautiful ecard...thank you....
It looks so beautiful! Merry Yule!
Yule is a joyous festival in Bilbo's Middle Earth.
Darkest Night of the year does awaken atavistic fears.
Our ancestors must have been afraid the sun would never return.
We feel it when the Big Freeze is on and day is like night.
Our bloodlines from long long ago possessed deep wisdom.
Sunlight will stick around a teensy bit longer each day. Hope you had a beautiful, serene Solstice.
Happy Solstice Debra. May your Christmas be bright, peaceful and healthy. You have really captured a beautiful meaning. Thank you for the sweet e-card. Hugs
Happy Solstice to you as well.
Wishing you a Blessed Solstice and a Merry Yule, Debra! I love your hand-dipped beeswax candle, it's good you finally lit it. The whole 5 week progression was lovely. Thank you for another year of entertainment and education... and the lovely e-card.
Blessings of the light to you and yours, Elizabeth
Thank you so much for the ecard, that was so sweet.
Beautiful post. Before we know it we’ll by saying, it’s 5 o’clock and it’s still light out! Jayne
Lighting your hand-dipped beeswax candle to mark the Winter Solstice sounds deeply meaningful, a beautiful way to honor both tradition and the return of the light
A great post, Debra. A Merry Yule to you.
Light and love!
Happy Solstice to you!
Turning the corner.... Happy Solstice to you.
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