How did the Celts celebrate the Winter Solstice?

The Winter Solstice falls on the shortest day of the year (21st December) and was celebrated in Britain long before the arrival of Christianity. The Druids (Celtic priests) would cut the mistletoe that grew on the oak tree and give it as a blessing. It was also the Druids who began the tradition of the yule log.

What is Winter Solstice called in Ireland?

Yule – ancient festival pre-dating Christmas Meath where an underground cairn dating back to 3300bc was built to be illuminated by the sun specifically, every year, at sunrise on the winter solstice.

What are some traditions of Winter Solstice?

Here are some customary ways to celebrate the solstice—you might notice that some resemble beloved Christmas traditions.

• Build a Yule Altar.
• Make an Evergreen Yule Wreath.
• Burn a Yule Log.
• Decorate a Yule Tree.
• Exchange Nature-Based Gifts.
• Give Back to Nature.
• Celebrate in Candlelight.
• Set up a Meditation Space.

  What time is the Winter Solstice 2020 Ireland?

  10.02am
  In 2020, this will occur at 10.02am on Monday December 21st. In our Celtic landscapes, the Winter Solstice is an ancient seasonal rite of passage that is ageless.

  Who is the goddess of winter solstice?

  Beiwe
  Winter solstice has also been known to celebrate Earth’s regeneration or rebirth, and the Scandinavian Goddess, Beiwe, is associated with health and fertility.

  Do Irish people celebrate Yule?

  In fact, many of our Christmas traditions (just like Halloween—learn more here) are rooted in Irish Pagan traditions. They just called it “Mean Geimhreadh” (Midwinter in Gaelic) or “Alban Arthan” (Yule) instead, and there’s evidence to suggest the Irish have been celebrating it for at least 5,000 years.

  What is a winter solstice party?

  A Winter Celebration Of The Sun. Throughout history, societies across the world have held festivals and ceremonies marking winter solstice, the day of the “sun’s rebirth.” Most often, winter solstice celebrations honored the symbolism of fire and light, along with life, death, the rising sun, and the moon.

  What do you need for a winter solstice party?

  There are a lot of ways you can decorate your house for a winter solstice party, and you don’t have to break the bank to do it. Candles, lights, wreaths and boughs of greenery, and solar symbols are all seasonally appropriate. Be sure to read about Five Easy Yule Decorations for some ideas.

  What is the shortest day in Ireland?

  December 21, 2021
  December Solstice (Winter Solstice) is on Tuesday, December 21, 2021 at 3:59 pm in Dublin. In terms of daylight, this day is 9 hours, 30 minutes shorter than on June Solstice. In most locations north of Equator, the shortest day of the year is around this date.

  Why is shortest day on 22nd December?

  The Northern Hemisphere spends half the year tilted in the direction of the Sun, getting direct sunlight during long summer days. During the other half of the year, it tilts away from the Sun, and the days are shorter. Winter Solstice, December 21, is the day when the North Pole is most tilted away from the Sun.

  What is the name of the Snow God?

  Ullr
  Ullr (pronounced ooo-lar) is a widely known by many SnowSeekers as the God of Snow. But was he really? The legend of Ullr lives in Norse mythology and he was the son of the grain goddess Sif and stepson of Thor, God of Thunder.

  Is Yule a Celtic?

  Druids, the priestly class in ancient Celtic society, celebrated the festival of Alban Arthuan (also known as Yule) at the time of the Winter solstice. It was on this day that they ceremonially gathered mistletoe from oak trees.

  What was Ireland before Christianity?

  Celts in pre-Christian Ireland were pagans and had gods and goddesses, but they converted to Christianity in the fourth century. Q: Where did Celts originally come from? The Celts are believed to come from Central Europe and the European Atlantic seaboard, including Spain.

  What is Celtic Christmas called?

  How do you teach children about the winter solstice?

  Everyone can enjoy participating in them together!

  1. DOWNLOAD YOUR FREE WINTER SOLSTICE COLORING PAGE!
  2. SOLSTICE SYMBOLS.
  3. WINTER SOLSTICE STEM CHALLENGE: Build A Replica Stonehenge!
  4. BURN A YULE LOG FOR THE WINTER SOLSTICE.
  5. MAKE WINTER SOLSTICE LANTERNS.
  6. DECORATE THE OUTDOORS.
  7. CREATE BEAUTIFUL WINTER SOLSTICE CRAFTS.
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