The fascinating significance behind our winter solstice celebrations

Toronto: The winter solstice is a pretty cool event. It happens when the Earth’s pole tilts away from the Sun, giving us the shortest day and longest night of the year. This happens twice a year, once in each hemisphere.

Back in the day, this time was super important for our ancestors. They relied on the seasons for farming, and winter could mean tough times. Many cultures celebrated midwinter festivals as a last big feast before the harsh winter set in.

During this time, folks would often slaughter cattle to save on feed, making fresh meat available. It’s also seen as a time of the sun’s symbolic death and rebirth, as days start getting longer again.

In the West, we owe a lot of our winter traditions to ancient Rome. They celebrated Saturn, the god of agriculture, with a week-long festival called Saturnalia. This was a time for partying, gambling, and gift-giving. When Christianity spread, many of these customs blended into what we now know as Christmas.

In Canada, winter solstice celebrations are quite special. In the Yukon, people skate under the stars, hoping to catch a glimpse of the northern lights. Meanwhile, in Toronto, Kensington Market lights up with festivities, supporting local artists and businesses.

All around the world, people celebrate the winter solstice with fire, food, and gratitude. In Scandinavia, they honor St. Lucia, a symbol of light. In China, the Dongzhi festival marks the return of longer days, bringing families together.

One of the most famous celebrations happens at Stonehenge in England. This ancient site was built to align with the sun during the solstice, marking this event for thousands of years. Ancient druids believed it was a time to celebrate the sun’s return and push back against the darkness.