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The winter solstice occurs around Dec. 21 in the northern hemisphere. It marks the shortest day and longest night of the year. As the Earth tilts away from the sun, sunlight becomes scarce, but this day also symbolizes hope.
The winter solstice in Kaiserslautern occurs on Saturday, Dec. 21, at 10:20 a.m. On this day, the amount of daylight is nine hours and 11 minutes shorter than during the June solstice. It’s the shortest day of the year in most locations north of the equator.
The solstices, both in winter and summer, have played a key role in history throughout the world. There are many legends and myths linked to the natural phenomenon.
Romans celebrated the winter solstice with the Saturnalia festival held from Dec. 17 to Dec. 24. During this week-long event, social norms were upended. Masters served their servants, gambling was allowed and feasting and drinking were abundant.
Iranians observe the solstice with Yalda Night. Families gather to eat, drink, and recite poetry. Red-colored foods symbolize the rising sun and the return of life.
Yule, from which modern Christmas traditions emerged, involved hearty feasts, decorations, and gifts. Elves or old men bearing gifts were part of the festivities. Germanic and Viking tribes that settled throughout Europe honored the winter solstice with the Yul Festival, derived from the old Norse word “jól,” with feasting, drinking and lighting fires. The Yule log was also common and families would burn a large log to bring warmth and light during the darkest days.
Iconic Stonehenge aligns with both the winter and summer solstices. On the winter solstice, thousands gather to witness the setting sun perfectly aligned with the stones.
The vast circular monument Newgrange in Ireland predates Stonehenge. It aligns with the solstice, and during sunrise, a beam of light pierces through its entrance. It is located north of Dublin and each year the winter solstice attracts attention when spectators gather at the ancient tomb to wait for dawn, as people did more than 5,000 years ago.
In Egypt, the Temple of Karnak illuminates during the winter solstice. The rising sun shines directly between two pillars, celebrating the god Horus.
The term “Rauhnächte” (rough nights) refers to a Germanic tradition during the twelve nights between Christmas Eve (Dec. 24) and Epiphany (Jan. 6). These nights were considered magical and liminal, bridging the old year and the new. Here are some aspects of this tradition:
Wild Spirits and Ancestral Connections: During Rauhnächte people believed that the veil between the physical world and the spirit realm was thin. Ancestors and spirits could visit or influence the living. To honor their ancestors, families left food and drink outside their homes or lit candles in windows.
Wild Huntsman: The Wild Hunt is a captivating folklore motif found across various northern, western, and eastern European cultures. It involves a spectral chase led by a mythological figure, accompanied by a ghostly or supernatural group of hunters. The Wild Hunt typically features a leader associated with Odin in Germanic legends.
In Germany, it’s known as the Wilde Jagd (Wild Hunt). England has its versions, including Herlaþing, Woden’s Hunt, and Gabriel’s Hounds. This might also be attributed to the polar lights best seen in northern Europe during winter nights. So, imagine the eerie sight of spectral riders and hounds galloping through the night sky — a haunting tale that transcends time and borders!
In some areas in southern Germany there was a superstition that if you did laundry and hung up clothes, evil spirits could enter them and bring bad luck and havoc to the wearers. Dreams during the “rough nights” were also said to be especially intense.
Various Native American tribes, both north and south, also celebrated the solstice. Ojibwe (Minnesota Chippewa Tribe): Traditional storytelling was reserved for winter months. Elders entertained and educated children with stories during long evenings. San Carlos Apache (Arizona): Elders invited storytellers who shared tales throughout the night. Ho-Chunk Nation of Wisconsin waited for the Winter Moon and snow on Mother Earth before sharing stories.
The Aztecs celebrated the winter solstice as a day of renewal and observed that the sun appeared to stop moving for a few days around this time, which led them to call it the “sun stopped” moment. During the winter solstice, they honored Huitzilopochtli, their sun god, by performing rituals and fasting. Mayans considered the winter solstice a symbol of renewal, signaling the gradual return of light.
These ancient rituals remind us of our shared human connection to nature, storytelling, and the promise of brighter days ahead. And, we have adopted many of the traditions today and enjoy cozy family gatherings, light the fireplace, decorate trees with bright lights and ornaments, and spend valuable time with friends during the holiday season.
If you live in a smaller town with little light pollution, you might be able to spot some of these star constellations on a clear night: Orion, Sirius, Taurus and Gemini.
Two positive aspects of the short days and very long nights: Starting Dec. 22, each day gets about three minutes longer. And, in the southern hemisphere with long days, penguins in Antarctica can enjoy 24-hour sunbathing for about 11 weeks!
Wishing you all a peaceful and fun holiday season and a great start into the new year. If you have any topics, items of interest or ideas regarding the KMC, Germany or Europe for ABC in KMC articles next year, we are open to suggestions. Please share your ideas at: gina.hutchins-inman.de@us.af.mil
