Winter Solstice

The winter solstice is a rare astronomical event celebrated by humans who endure the frigid winter months. It marks the longest night of the year and the shortest day, as the sun plays a game of hide-and-seek with the earth.

For all of our scant knowledge on the topic, the winter solstice has a deep historical significance dating back at least 5,000 years in human history. This special day has inspired civilizations worldwide to get creative with ways to ward off winter’s icy bite.

In ancient times, people believed that the winter solstice was a time of renewal, rebirth, and regeneration, and many cultures incorporated themes of light into their celebrations. The ancient Romans famously celebrated ‘Saturnalia’, where they would gift each other various tokens of love and hilarity, chill with their friends, and partake in the consumption of alcoholic beverages that, by today’s standards, could quite possibly remove paint from a car.

In Scandinavia, the winter solstice was known as ‘Yule’, which sounded suspiciously like a ho-ho-ho a certain jolly old man brings to manors. The Vikings would gather and feast on meat for days, and in some cases even made a classic toast to Odin (the god of war, death, and poetry… a fun-loving dude indeed) in hopes of receiving divine blessings in the year to come.

So, what is the modern meaning of this day?

Well, we’re glad you asked. Nowadays, the winter solstice has taken on a somewhat more subdued meaning, though it’s still marked by light and celebration. People tend to get a bit whimsical and start to see the world as a bit of a wonderland. Snowmen, sleigh rides, and hot toddies are all at their peak in popularity (though not necessarily in that order).

And on this night, amidst the twinkling stars and flickering candles, we remember that life is fleeting and beautiful, and that with the right frame of mind, any struggle can be turned into a thing of wonder. And if that sounds too cheesy, just remember that eggnog and pumpkin pie are typically on the menu to wash down all the cheese with.

So, this winter solstice, let’s take a moment to marvel at the wonders of the universe, the ones we know of and the ones we don’t. Who knows, maybe somewhere out there, some intergalactic being is looking down on us and wondering what in the world we’re up to. But until the day where they reveal themselves, let us eat, drink, and be merry. After all, like everything else in life, winter solstice comes only once a year.