As the year draws to a close, many of us find ourselves swept up in the frantic hum of the festive season. Yet beneath the glittering lights of Bond Street and away from the bustle of crowds, there is a quieter, more ancient rhythm calling for our attention. On 21 December in the Northern Hemisphere, we mark the Winter Solstice — the shortest day and the longest night of the year.

Far from being a mere midwinter milestone, the solstice is a profound moment of hope, a celestial pause before the light begins its slow, elegant return. In literal terms, the solstice occurs when the Earth’s North Pole is tilted at its furthest point from the Sun. For those of us in the UK, this results in the fewest hours of daylight and a sun that sits low on the horizon, casting long, cinematic shadows.

It marks the astronomical first day of winter, but more importantly, it signals a turning point. From this moment onwards, the days begin to lengthen, and our steady journey back towards spring commences.

Historically, the solstice — or “Yule” in old European traditions — was a vital festival for our ancestors. In a world without electricity, the “return of the light” was literally a matter of survival. Today, it serves as an invitation to introspection. Just as seeds must lie beneath cold soil before they can sprout, we too require a period of dormancy. The solstice invites us to honour our need for rest, to reflect on the lessons of the past year, and to set quiet, soulful intentions for the coming light. 

If you’d like to celebrate the solstice with a touch of tradition, consider these simple rituals.

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Three Ways To Mark The Winter Solstice

Bring The Outdoors In: Long before the Christmas tree became a household staple, homes were adorned with evergreens such as holly, ivy and mistletoe. These plants represent the persistence of life through the harshest conditions. Decorating a mantlepiece with foraged greenery is a beautiful way to ground yourself in the season’s natural elegance.

The Solstice Fire: Lighting a beeswax candle or reclining by a roaring fireplace is a symbolic way to welcome the sun back. Many people choose to perform a release ritual — writing down what they wish to leave behind in the darkness and safely burning the paper to make room for fresh energy. To go a step further, burning a yellow candle is often associated with attracting prosperity in the year ahead.

A Moment Of Silence: At sunset on the 21st, take ten minutes to sit in the twilight without phones or distractions. Witnessing the transition into the year’s longest night helps reconnect us with the natural world, reminding us that there is a distinct beauty to be found in stillness.

As we lean into the shadows of December, remember that the solstice is not just the depth of winter; it is the quiet promise that the light is already on its way back.