Winter Solstice and Summer Solstice.
Social media and our openness online towards each other based in other locations, seems to bring a some confusion or bias even.
Our brilliant adaption and connection, making friends with others in other countries has been marvellous but also detrimental for some - meaning, some people I have met along the way, have been celebrating the wrong Hemisphere at the wrong time and not even aware of doing so or doing so because they wish to fit in with their online friends from abroad.
If you are anything like me, you are wishing for a cold snowy Xmas but currently residing in Sunny Hot Melting Witches with ease Australia!
Honestly it sux for some people to be watching on as others enjoy their Winter Solstice and this can and does cause confusion and resentment. ie "I wish I lived somewhere it was snowing." It can also cause division amongst witches (at least mentally or verbally - generally through miscommunication or bias).
It can also then double down to lack of desire to celebrate our locations time zone, with others just celebrating the same as their friends in far away places ie Northern instead of Southern.
The now times has seen a rise in these celebrations by people who do not understand the meaning behind it or only celebrating it for the environmental reasons. Some celebrating just because, well, it's an in thing to do.
What you do is your own business of course but if you are actually wanting to know why you are celebrating and what you can do to celebrate, then you've come to the right place - at least for the mini explanation version.
I have witnessed an online arrogance towards other pagans and witches on the opposite side Hemispheres. Pretty pathetic and ridiculous really. What we should be doing is supporting one another. I have a lovely witch sister in the UK who makes it her business to remind me of our hemisphere celebrations, asks me what I am doing for it and always wants photos. That's where we all need to be at. I just love that she does this, even though I already know when to celebrate and how.
Essentially you can do as you please and celebrate whatever you want to celebrate but it makes more sense to stay in line with your current location.
Stand firm, proud and tall and make the most of your location is the best advice I can give you. We all celebrate the same thing for similar reasons at one time or another, even if it isn't exactly the same time. Ya, it's seasonal, get with the program. What Hemisphere am I?
Many do not know the difference or what Hemisphere they belong in, so let's break it down here. And don't worry, we totally understand, there is no judgement.
Here is a chart that clearly breaks down who is where and what is what. This will be available in A4, A3 and A2 with variations. Check back in the shop in the next week or 2.
You are welcome to download this pic, use it, share it but please keep all our trademark, copyright and website link info - if you are found deleting or covering it, we will stir the cauldron by way of legal letters and so forth.
So essentially here is the short break down of it all - if you want more information please join the course pertaining to Sabbats.
WINTER SOLSTICE FOR NORTHERN HEMISPHERE DECEMBER
Why do we celebrate Winter Solstice? Where did it begin?
Celebrating the Solstice: A Time to Reflect on the Wonders of Nature. For thousands of years, individuals have been recognizing the solstice, marking time through the stars. As the year draws to a close, it's a perfect opportunity to reflect on the awe-inspiring beauty of nature. Winter was viewed as a time for deceleration and reconnection with the natural world in many traditional cultures. Of course there is a variation and additional information pertaining to traditions and countries originated, started and taken up the celebration.
What we can do to celebrate:
Build a Yule Altar.
Make an Evergreen Yule Wreath.
Burn a Yule Log.
Decorate a Yule Tree.
Exchange Nature Based Handmade Gifts.
Give Back to Nature.
Celebrate in Candlelight.
Set up a Meditation Space.
Eat Wintery foods associated to this celebration.
Celebrate and enjoy Xmas lights in the city or set up in your neighbourhood.
Sit in front of a fire.
Sit outside under the moon or in the Wintery Sun.
SUMMER SOLSTICE FOR SOUTHERN HEMISPHERE DECEMBER
Why do we celebrate Summer Solstice? Where did it begin?
The Significance of the Summer Solstice in Northern and Central European Neolithic Cultures. The summer solstice was a crucial event in ancient Celtic, Slavic and Germanic cultures, where it was associated with the timing of crop cycles. Bonfires were lit during this period to enhance the sun's energy for the rest of the crop season and guarantee a fruitful harvest. Of course there is a variation and additional information pertaining to traditions and countries originated, started and taken up the celebration.
What we can do to celebrate:
Start a Bonfire & sit around it.
Meditate.
Craft a flower crown... who doesn't like a flower crown.
Suncatchers.
Create a sun ritual.
Create sun inspired art.
Do some gardening in the sun (be safe use sunscreen).
Soak up the Sun. Again use sunscreen.
Visit Stonehenge if you are able to.
Collect fresh midsummer herbs.
Eat a seasonal summer feast.
Plan a scavenger hunt.
Practice yoga.
Read books about the summer solstice and educate yourself.
Solstice sex... day or night... up in 1 more time and do it in nature.
Stay up all night.
Other Information:
timeanddate.com have a great article explaining some differences in relations to Southern and Northern Hemisphere: https://www.timeanddate.com/geography/southern-northern-hemisphere.html
Winter Solstice Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Winter_solstice
Summer Solstice Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Summer_solstice
BeWitchy Magazine If you found this article helpful, please leave us a 5 star review and explanation as to why you left it. We appreciate your support and grateful you found us here. When you give to the universal energies that be, they give to you. So keep giving to those who give to you. Blessed Be Witchy Trendsetters.
Warrior Strength to those who deserve it & Destruction to those who need it!
International Psychic Medium Witch Madame Verveine+ Witchcraft Practitioner Demonologist Author Artist Mentor Owner and Founder of BeWitchy
BeWitchy® ©Copyright Protected 2023.
If you found this article helpful, please leave us a 5 star review and explanation as to why you left it. We appreciate your support and grateful you found us here. When you give to the universal energies that be, they give to you.