We associate winter possibly with snow and Christmas, though many people throughout the world also celebrate the winter solstice. I certainly have.
What is the solstice you ask? Though commonly referred to as winter solstice, at least in the northern hemisphere, it is known for the shortest day of the year and the longest night; it is opposite in the southern hemisphere where they experience the longest day and the shortest night as they are experiencing summer solstice! (
Did you know that the solstice is actually not the whole day, but actually at a specific point in time? For us here in Vancouver, British Columbia, it was 3:03 pm (or 1503 hrs) when "old man winter" finally arrived.
For the past approximately 15 years, I have participated and volunteered at a community event marking the winter solstice. Jerry DesVoignes, chantmaster leads community gatherings of chants and songs, including those that mark the shortest day of the year and the return of the light.
I actually got hooked (for lack of a better term) when I attend my first such event the same year, 1997, when both Princess Diana and Mother Teresa died: two bright lights snuffed out within a week apart.
It was a fun and also a magical experience due to a ritual - Aarti ( - and rose petals showered upon people, usually their heads. (You can see why I got hooked.) ;)
Unfortunately at this time, I do not have any pictures to show of the beautiful altar that is created with candles, flowers, and symbols. However, you can get a taste of one of Jerry's chants here below at about the 5:25 time mark...you can hear some of his vocal range - I believe he has an eight-octave range - as he starts to tone at the 4:15 time mark:
Do you celebrate the solstice and if so, how?
This past week I attended a concert by Winter Harp, a group of musicians/performers who play various harps. flutes, and other ancient instruments. Here is a video of some of them playing "O Come, O Come Emmanuel."
Or how about this one, where some other members play, "Girl in the Red Skirt" a flamenco tune.
Have you seen any Christmas concerts this year, and if so, which ones or what kinds?
My comment disappeared!
ReplyDeleteI guess I wanted to say that I miss winter celebrations which were normally associated with Christmas while I was growing up...
Yes, the comments generally disappear at times: best to type and copy them in case you have to paste them (rather than retype)! Winter celebrations can be fun: too bad you no longer do/have them. <3
DeleteThanks for sharing about Winter Solstice, Ellie. Very interesting to read about all these festivities on the shortest day of the year in the Northern Hemisphere. I was born on the 21st of December so that's what I tend to celebrate on the Winter Solstice. Listening to the harp music. It's great! I haven't been to many musical shows for Christmas this year but I'm happy to say I've participated in many, singing with the choir and playing my flute with harps and with a concert band. Music really makes Christmas, doesn't it?
ReplyDeleteI think it's great that you celebrate winter solstice given that you were born that day...I would do the same! ;) Yes, participating in choirs is another form, albeit indirect to my question...I suppose I should have reframed that as I too sing in a choir and perform a Christmas concert. Glad to hear that you sing and play music: how wonderful! :) <3
DeleteSuch a beautiful description of the ritual leading up to and surrounding the Winter solstice, Elly. We don't celebrate it, but it is always refreshing to read about those who do and how they do it. Warm wishes for a wonderful, white Christmas to you, my dear :)
ReplyDeleteWell, I attempted to describe it as best I can, though words do no justice to the beauty of the evening: it's a delight and feast for the senses. :) A wonderful Christmas to you too Shailaja. Actually it's best that it's not white here as Vancouver and other areas have a challenge with snow it seems! ;) <3
DeleteThis is an interesting and powerful description of a solstice ritual. Thank you for sharing. I'm going to have to listen in as I'm susceptible to so many hours of darkness. So many beautiful things can come out of such a dark time of year. So glad I have the Chanukah candles to light!
ReplyDeleteThanks Dorit. :) Just curious where you are with so much darkness...not the North Pole!? ;) <3
DeleteVery interesting information, much of which is new to me! Thank you for sharing some background to the solstice.
ReplyDeleteI am glad I was able to inform you of whatever was new to you: I'm curious of course! ;) Happy solstice! :) <3
DeleteYour daylight hours are about an hour shorter than ours where I live in upstate New York. We don't have a solstice celebration that I know of but it is such a good idea, celebrating the turnaround and the eventual lengthening of the days. Winter can seem so long here in our cold, cloudy climate without a celebration - or two, or three. Alana
ReplyDeleteWell, if you were interested you can do one on your own and/or with family and/or friends. Or, if you were ambitious, get upstate New York in on it! ;) <3
DeleteI don't think we celebrate it here, though individuals certainly must. I associate "solstice" with my time in Japan, and that has been in summer. Love these kinds of things. Thanks,Elly!
ReplyDeleteSorry to hear you do not celebrate it; however, I am glad that you enjoy the idea. As I said to Alana above, you could always start a small ritual if you like - as simple as lighting a candle - by yourself and/or with family and/or community. Happy solstice Amy! :) <3
DeleteThis is such a great post! I love the videos you posted as well! The instramentals are beautiful!!
ReplyDeleteThanks Laurel, I'm glad you like it! :) Yes, a beautiful performance with some amazing instruments. <3
DeleteThis is an interesting and enlightening post! We dont celebrate Winter Solstice here. It is wonderful that you have been part of WS celebrations! Cool ♥
ReplyDeleteThanks Shilpa: I'm glad you enjoyed it! :) And yes, it is fun to celebrate winter solstice festivities! :) <3
DeleteWow, Elly... that was amazing, info :) thanks, dear. But I couldn't understand how come solstice mean a particular time rather than the whole day? What does thetime denote and how is it ascertained?It will be really good of you if you will clear my confusion. :)
ReplyDeleteLike you, I was surprised at that news too regarding a particular time. I'm not sure why that is the case: you can google 'winter solstice' and check information there and see if it will answer your questions as I typed this days ago...just now, getting back on a computer. ;) <3
DeleteThank you for sharing the information :)
ReplyDeleteSuch a beautiful way to celebrate Winter Solstice... and wow! What a beautiful voice Jerry DesVoignes has :)
My pleasure Pixie. I'm glad you enjoyed it. And yes, a wonderful way to celebrate! :) Yes, Jerry has an amazing voice with such a range. :) <3
DeleteFunny, I remember reading this and commenting on it last week, but my comments don't show here. I loved the videos especially the last one :)
ReplyDeleteHmm, I'm curious too what might have happened, albeit at times when commenting, the comment disappears so you have to retype them, thus best to type and then copy in case you need to paste it (so you don't have to remember/retype your notes). ;) Yes, that musical piece was great: I really enjoyed that they played that at the concert. :) <3
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