The winter solstice connects us to the changing seasons. Here are ways to celebrate the solstice: at home, with others or virtually.
Each year, we take time to pause and acknowledge the winter solstice. This is the turning point that reminds us how closely we are connected to the rhythms of nature. At In Harmony, we work to align our practices and your landscapes with these natural cycles. The solstice connects us to the changing seasons, to darkness and light.
This year the winter solstice occurs on Sunday, December 21, at about 7:03 am. It marks the shortest day and longest night of the year and the astronomical start of winter, when the Northern Hemisphere tilts farthest from the Sun. From now until the summer solstice in June, each day will get a little bit longer and brighter.
Celebrate at home
There are countless ways to celebrate the solstice. You could welcome light and warmth with a cozy fire and hot drinks. You could embrace the darkness by turning off your lights and lighting candles, or find a place outside away from bright lights.
Take time to reflect on your relationship with the earth and the sun’s enduring motion. Consider what you’re grateful for, what you would like to release into the darkness, and what you wish to bring forward into the light. Some people use the solstice to set goals and intentions for the year ahead.
NPR offers ideas for celebrating the solstice, including listening to Paul Winter’s solstice concerts, embracing winter with outdoor activities, cozying up with books and films, and taking care of your physical and mental health.
Celebrate virtually at Stonehenge
Experience the wonder of Stonehenge as people gather to watch the sunrise over the Stone Circle. Sunrise occurs at Stonehenge at 8:08 GMT, or 12:08 am PST. You can tune in via the Stonehenge winter solstice livestream.
Celebrate with others locally
Join others in the Seattle area to welcome the return of the light. Here are a few ideas.
- UW Botanic Gardens Winter Solstice Luminaria Walk: December 19, 20 and 21. Wander through the garden along a pathway lit with luminaria. The event includes drinks and live music.
- Longest Night: This community celebration at King Street Station, December 21 from 5-9 pm, includes art exhibitions, herbal bathing, sound baths, intuitive readings and more.
- Solstice yoga classes: Yoga is a great way to welcome the solstice and the winter season. Seattle Magazine lists three studios with special solstice yoga classes, along with other creative ways to honor the solstice. Here are a few other studios in Seattle and elsewhere in King County with special solstice classes: The Yoga Tree, Columbia City Yoga, Limber Yoga, Datza Studios, Yoga Sanctuary, Lakeview Yoga and others.
The Shortest Day
The Shortest Day, by Susan Cooper, is a solstice poem from an illustrated children’s book of the same name.
So the Shortest Day came and the year died
And everywhere down the centuries of the snow‐white world
Came people singing, dancing,
To drive the dark away.
They lighted candles in the winter trees;
They hung their homes with evergreen;
They burned beseeching fires all night long
To keep the year alive.
And when the new year’s sunshine blazed awake
They shouted, reveling.
Through all the frosty ages you can hear them
Echoing behind us ‐ listen!
All the long echoes, sing the same delight,
This Shortest Day,
As promise wakens in the sleeping land:
They carol, feast, give thanks,
And dearly love their friends,
And hope for peace.
And so do we, here, now,
This year and every year.
Welcome Yule!
