What’s The Winter Solstice All About? In the southern hemisphere the calendar has already ticked over to winter, and we are certainly feeling the chill here in my home town of Kinglake, in the Victorian mountains of Australia. For more traditional communities however, the change of seasons from autumn to winter was celebrated at the winter solstice, which occurs this year on Sunday June 21st, marking the day with the fewest daylight hours, and consequently the longest night. Many traditions commemorate the moving away from the long darkness, anticipating the sun’s return to lighter days, propelling us towards the summer solstice.

Solstice Traditions

Many of the traditions stem from the northern hemisphere and are more contemporarily combined with Christmas; stars rising above Yule trees, hearty food, family get-togethers, gift giving, and for much of nature - hibernation. Other traditions make the most of the time for self reflection, renewal and regeneration of energy. All of these sound pretty good to me.

Here in Australia, the winter solstice often goes unnoticed by many, so I thought it would be interesting to look at some ways we can celebrate this momentous time of the year - especially in 2020 as we come out of the COVID-19 lockdown and enjoy easing restrictions, it certainly seems like a great time to celebrate!

Get into the garden: As nature takes time to slow down, and in cold regions like mine - hibernate, it is an excellent chance to tidy up with some pruning. I have a large, very productive garden; a 40 x 8m organic vegie patch, a 40+ tree organic orchard, a lot of ‘lawn’ and some lovely ornamental garden areas, which are also very productive flowering and fruiting for birds and insects over the warmer months. Nature very much has shut down here, and as the last colourful autumn leaves drop, I get my hedge trimmer, pruning shears and secateurs out and get to work.

Eat hearty and healthy: Darker, cooler evenings elicit thoughts of long nights by the fire, warming casseroles and soups, and hot chocolates (or toddies). We are big soup people in our house; I just love the all in one meals that warm the body, mind and soul. Click here for one of my favourite recipes, Morroccan Soup - perfect for winter warm ups.

Catch up with family and friends: This year, I think catching up will hold even higher importance for us as we move out of a difficult and unprecedented time in history. Why not hold a winter solstice party? Family, friends and food!

Look after your body: Although we don’t actually hibernate (even if we might feel like it), this is an important time to take good care of ourselves, allowing extra hours for sleep, recreation, family togetherness. And if we are unlucky enough to suffer some winter illness, take extra care to allow your body to heal and particularly in the current climate, not to spread our germs around.

Why do we have a solstice? It’s all to do with the tilt of the earth which varies over time, hovering around 23.5 degrees. So at different times of the year, either the southern or northern hemisphere is tilted towards the sun, and the solstice marks the point in time that one of the earth’s poles is in its maximum tilt towards the sun (summer) while the other is at its maximum tilt away from the sun (winter).

Both solstices happen at the exact same time all around the globe, but of course dates and times are adjusted according to where you live. The northern hemisphere is currently celebrating the summer solstice.

Remember, as from June 22nd, each day gets just a little longer and before we know it, summer will be here again!

So enjoy your ‘hibernation’, rejuvenate your body and renew your mind, in readiness for a long hot summer.

Be Happy
Merelyn Carter

PREP TIME:            15 MINS

COOKING TIME:  30 MINS

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Merelyn’s writing is supported in part by the sale of her books. Autobiography - ‘The Deepest Part of Me’.  ‘Inspire’ – inspirational reflections for your life’s journey.  ‘Stories behind the Songs’ and her first children’s picture book ‘To The Moon and Back - Grandma’s Rocket Ship Adventure’. To find out more about her work and to support her through the purchase of her writings and music, please go to www.carterandcarter.com.au