As the Earth ‘s poles reach the maximum tilt away from the sun, we experience the winter (hibernal) solstice. This happens twice yearly, once in each hemisphere (Northern and Southern). Although the winter solstice itself lasts only a moment, the term sometimes refers to the day on which it occurs. At the winter solstice, the sun is at its lowest daily maximum elevation in the sky and the date is generally known as the shortest day and longest night of the year. This year, the northern winter solstice will occur on December 21st, also the beginning of astronomical winter.
The winter solstice has been celebrated since pre-Christian times, and in many cultures has been marked by festivals, feasts, and rituals. It is believed that astronomical events had been used by ancient peoples to guide agricultural and farming activities, including the mating of animals, the sowing of crops, and the gathering of food reserves for the coming winter. Research and evidence suggest that the archaeological sites Stonehenge in England and Newgrange in Ireland were aligned to point to the winter solstice sunrise (Newgrange) and the winter solstice sunset (Stonehenge).
Ancient traditions revolving around the winter solstice are part of our culture and Christmas celebrations today. One of the most enduring and well-known Christmas carols, Deck the Halls, has its origins in the pre-Christian, Scandinavian solstice celebration known as the Feast of Juul (later translated as Yule). Yule is a 12-day pagan celebration revolving around the birth of the sun and the winter solstice. In the lyrics of the song, “Troll the ancient Yuletide carols”, the word Troll means to sing in full, rolling voice. The word derives from early hunting terminology, meaning to look for game in a wandering fashion.
The song’s melody is Welsh, dating back to the 16th century, and belongs to a carol titled “Nos Galan”. In 1862, Scottish musician Thomas Oliphant penned the English lyrics we sing today.
As you gather with friends and family to celebrate the holiday season, if you light a Yule log as part of your tradition, sing Deck the Halls to celebrate the solstice as well.