The Ancient Celts & the Winter Solstice

The winter solstice marks the shortest day of the year, usually occurring around December 21st in the Northern Hemisphere. In Celtic tradition, this event was often associated with the rebirth of the sun, as the days would gradually become longer and the sun would gain strength. The winter solstice was a time of celebration and ritual, symbolizing hope, renewal, and the cyclical nature of life.

This video will talk about the historical and modern day symbolism of the winter solstice to different groups as well as some of the activities and traditions surround it.

Some images c/o: Me, Malcolm Morris / Maeshowe, Neolithic Orkney. (The outside), Rob Burke / Maes Howe entrance passage, Colin Smith / Maes Howe, Henge Monument, Low winter solstice sun by Philip Halling, Satellite passage tombs at Knowth by John MCC, bastique from San Francisco, United States, Shadowgate, David Lee, Tim Weeks, bea & txema & alan, Maeshowe by Sturart Wilding BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons, Bengt A Lundberg / Riksantikvarieämbetet, CC BY 2.5, via Wikimedia Commons, Jean Housen, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons, Tjp finn, Rene Cortin, Sevenseaocean, William Ellison, Sarahwalshireland, Dieglop, Beep boop beep CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.