6 Ways to Celebrate Winter Solstice This Year
- Dec 17, 2021
- 2 min read
“I will tell you something about stories…They aren’t just entertainment. Don’t be fooled. They are all we have, you see, all we have to fight off illness and death.”
- Leslie Marmon Silko, Ceremony
The winter solstice is the shortest day of the year. It is a day when the Northern Hemisphere has the fewest hours of sunlight and the Southern Hemisphere has the most. This remarkable event marks the point at which the sunlight begins to increase and warmth begins to reach the Earth.
This change is celebrated with ceremony and storytelling because it represents a time of hope, renewal, and rebirth.
During this difficult time when the world has been afflicted by illness and loss, many Native American communities and families will strive to find ways to honor the winter solstice safely. We've put together a list of activities that we hope will inspire you.
1. Reflect on the past year.
Go to a place that is sacred to you and take some time to reflect on this past year. What did you learn? What do you want to change or have happen in 2022?
2. Remember loved ones lost.
The number of people who died as a result of Covid-19 is more than just a statistic. They represent the loss of relatives and friends who have made contributions to our lives and communities. In your own way, celebrate the lives of those we have lost this year.
3. Share about the things you are grateful for on social media.
Gratitude is good medicine. Being thankful has been associated with lowering stress levels, increasing mental strength, and improving relationships. Everyday for a week, share about one thing you are grateful for on your social media. Tag your friends and challenge them to do the same.
4. Learn about an ancestor.
Connect with your family this season by uncovering stories of the past. One day this week take a genealogical journey to illuminate your family history. This can also help you as you set goals for the new year by shedding light on who you are and how you fit into history.
5. Express your love for others.
There are many ways you can tell people you care about them. Write a letter to a friend who lives far away, drop off a small gift to a neighbor, or simply send a text message to a family member letting them know you are thinking of them.
6. Practice self-care.
If you haven't already, create a self-care routine. Eat healthy, get good sleep, get rid of clutter, see friends, find ways to relax, and do at least one thing you love everyday.
Let's come together this #wintersolstice to raise scholarship funds for the next generation of students. By making a donation to American Indian Services, you can help Native Americans create brighter futures for themselves, their families, and their communities.
The traditions and ideas you highlighted make the season feel even more meaningful. While reading, I was reminded of a similar discussion on https://www.alamodtf.com/ where different viewpoints added useful context. It's always refreshing to find content that encourages appreciation of cultural traditions.
Winter Solstice celebrations often highlight reflection, renewal, and connection with nature. Traditions include lighting candles to honor the return of longer days, sharing meals with seasonal foods, storytelling, and spending time outdoors to appreciate the shift in seasons. It’s a bit like playing game Slope—every move requires balance and precision, keeping traditions steady while opening paths toward deeper meaning and harmony with the cycles of life.
Lighting candles, a fireplace, or an outdoor bonfire is one of the oldest Winter Solstice traditions. The light represents hope, Word hurdle warmth, and the return of the sun after the year's longest night.
These winter solstice reflections feel so grounding—especially the reminder to pause and honor loved ones. Finding meaningful ways to reset during the darkest days really matters. I stumbled across similar thoughtful seasonal content while exploring Subway Surfers Unblocked, which actually has its own rhythm of focus and renewal between rounds. Great read!
The suggestions feel respectful and thoughtfully presented, making the topic easy to connect with. I recently read a similar discussion on a review blog, and it provided another interesting perspective as well, similar to how https://gocollectiv.com/ highlights cultural and seasonal reflections in a broader context. A valuable and insightful piece overall.