Cool ways to commemorate ancient rituals for the shortest day of the year
The traditions of pagan winter solstice provided the basis for many modern traditions like burning the Yule log at Christmas, lighting bonfires, and marveling at stone and sun alignments that occur in nature. We’ve cooked up three crafts to help you celebrate the traditions of the auspicious shortest day of the year.
Pine needle sun catcher
Traditionally, bonfires were lit in the fields and surrounding crops and trees were splashed with spiced cider. Children walked from house to house offering gifts of clove spiked apples and oranges in baskets of evergreen boughs and wheat stalks. Celts believed evergreens to be sacred because they didn’t die in the winter, thereby representing the eternal aspect of the divine.
You’ll need: An aluminum pie plate, twine, seasonal greens like pine needles, mistletoe and dried leaves.
