Around the world mythologies and traditions have developed over the centuries to mark this peak of darkness before the days begin once again to lengthen. At their heart is the concept of birth or rebirth, new beginnings and the return of the light.
Saturnalia was one of the most important and most popular of the Roman festivals and featured feasting and exchange of gifts, and the social order was temporarily reversed as masters and slaves changed places. The Dongzhi festival, celebrated by the Chinese, Koreans and Vietnamese, entails families getting together and sharing special food. Yule festivities derive from the late Viking period and its Midwinter rituals, and continues with Wicca as a pagan festival marking the rebirth of the sun. Even Hogmanay in Scotland originally marked the return of the sun.
Christmas or Christ's Mass, on 25th December celebrates the birth of Christ. Midnight Mass, carol singing, the decorating of our homes, feasting with family and friends and exchanging of gifts are very similar to rituals and traditions elsewhere for the birth of the new solar year.
Even if Christmas didn't exist as a Christian festival, we would still feel the need to mark this time of darkness before the lengthening of the days once again in the progression to the summer solstice. Midwinter is a natural time of withdrawal and reflection prior to celebrating the return of the light. Advent, and particularly the winter solstice, is an opportunity for us to confront the darkness in our world, as well as the darkness within ourselves, and to honour it.
The psychologist C. G. Jung talked of the necessity of becoming aware of the darkness, of making the unconscious conscious on the path to becoming truly evolved individuals. Our only hope in changing the world is in changing ourselves and becoming more conscious human beings.
At a time when our world is so troubled with crises, let's hope for new beginnings, rebirth and transformation as we learn to collaborate, co-operate and become more compassionate as we face the challenges together. Let's hope 2012 sees a major shift in consciousness!
Seasonal greetings!
