Shifting Paradigms in Christmas Traditions
I’m infatuated with Light. Especially thermal light, because I live in the north and I’m always cold this time of year. I’m a consummate heat seeker (gimme flannel pj’s, hot cocoa and a fluffy divan – and I’m done like a Christmas dinner).
When I moved to New York from Texas, I encountered major shifting paradigms in Christmas traditions. It’s not that my in-laws partied differently from my Texan kin – it’s because I’d never experienced such a distance from the Sun before. It may sound funny, but my first frigid, frost-bitten Christmas up here gave me pause, and made me reevaluate my holiday rituals.
At its most fundamental, this time of year is rooted in our relationship to the heat and light of the Sun. No matter what religion you are devoted to, look into your doctrine and you will find themes of Light woven into the traditions inherent this time of year.
Don’t believe me? Here are just a few observations:
Christmas:
The name “Christ” can literally be translated to mean “Light.” In my view, the core of Christmas traditions typically revolves around celebrating the Birth of Light. It doesn’t matter whether you attribute the actual birth of Christ this time of year or in the Spring – the foundational value of this holiday is to recognize spiritual Light dancing on the surface of our awareness. In fact, we can start shifting paradigms in Christmas traditions by focusing on igniting the Light of our consciousness this time of year. This is an eloquent way to both honor the Christ of Christianity and radiate out our Christ light from within.
Yule:
The ancient Norse, among other northern European and Icelandic peoples can be credited for this jovial holiday. Its relationship to Light is found in many traditions, including the Yule Log. The log is burned in honor of natural Light, in knowing the Sun’s presence will linger a bit longer on the Earth every day after the winter solstice. The Yule Log is also symbolic of Spiritual Light – a metaphoric reminder that even in the long night of the soul, our inner Light is ever-present.
Saturnalia and Sol Invictus:
Saturnalia is a Roman festival just prior to Sol Invictus. It’s a celebration of role reversals. In fact, Boxing Day is very much a carry-over from Saturnalia. Servants become masters and vice versa. This is deeply symbolic of the change in regimes and the transition between the dark and light half of the year. Saturnalia also marks the change in regime from the Golden Age of man (symbolic of Light and the Sun) to the Silver Age as expressed in myth when Saturn was overthrown by Jupiter. After several weeks of raucous partying, Saturnalia gives way to Sol Invictus which is a full-out reverence for the invincible power and returning presence of the Sun (Light).
These are just a few examples of how Light is the theme underscoring Christmas traditions.
Whether we are contemplating Christmas traditions from a metaphorical perspective, or rocking ’round the Christmas tree at the company party hop – to be sure, the prima-crux at this time of year is the position of the Sun (both physically and spiritually).
So here are my two cents (and how ultimately my paradigm shifting in Christmas traditions influenced my view of the holidays):
1.) The winter solstice is an initiation – a time to boldly walk through the sting of winter’s chill and the cloak of darkness – knowing the promise of warmth and Light shall return to our awareness.
2.) In metaphor, the Sun is akin to the Soul and this time of year urges us to make more bright (or perhaps rekindle) the Light within.
In closing, I invite you to reevaluate your own holiday traditions – do they honor the sanctity of Light? How does the theme of Light and “Soul Dawning” come into play with your traditions?
To be sure, this is a time of awakening, resurgence and energetic potential. So pay attention to the Light this holiday season – that’s what it’s all about.
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My family’s traditions went out the window when my grandparents and three of their sons (one was my father) died. It was sad, but it was also an opportune time for me to begin my own traditions such as enjoying the holidays versus getting caught up in the stress of the holidays.
This Christmas I may spend time dog walking at the AZ Humane Society. I’ll enjoy the company of the animals and the sunlight in AZ. It will be chilly (for me), but it will be a very peaceful and relaxing day. I will be able to have fun with the dogs and enjoy the beautiful scenery of South Mountain Park.
This was beautiful! I use candles to light up my life at Christmas. Fire is DEFINATELY one of my favorite elements.
XOXO
Happy Winter Solstice, Avia!
I can so relate to what you’ve written, particularly the change in demographics. When we moved to CT, Leslie and I had the hardest time adjusting to the winter. By the time February rolled around, we were both a mess, weather dysphoria in full gear, grumpy, disgruntled, and miserable. She’s from Los Angeles, and I guess all these years in San Francisco have made me a light weight. I, too, love the sun, and while I scorch to a pretty pink if I spend too much time in it, I also feel Jack Frost nipping at my toes at this time of year and yearn for those solar rays … literally and metaphorically!
Take care!
D~
’tis the season
As we strive through painful cold, treacherous dark,
dodging danger, palpitating heart,
anxiety our stark true friend
Dream of this season’s end in joyful meeting,
reunion, reward.
Dream loving happy family, aglow
in warming fire, festive lighted tree.
Pocket snapshot from a gentler age,
we ache to reclaim.
Raise high the revelry of feast
and frolic, space for sacred play,
miraculous day to carry like inspiring song,
a beacon through the storms
yet to rage.
Live this vision
embracing grace.
Essence
Essence, scent memory
cinnamon, pine, family
wafting incense
fragrant air
redolent of antiquity’s winds.
Trailing magick’s mountain meadow
Hard, sharp, cragged, creviced
Exquisitely strong, enduring, scarred,
mending, calloused, engaging
Fingertips, skin, caress manifest existence.
Rippling bells, liquid voices drip
replenishing wine. Listen.
Reverberate back to the tribal pool.
Dancing drum beats, symphonic raining rivers.
Rise and quaff the choir’s song.
In ritual visualize the distant dawn.
Hearths to unseen worlds fade before Sol’s majesty.
Incandescent homunculus eyes opening to flame,
krinkling sparks, glowing.
Powerful torches burn through dark imagery.
Revel in flavor, mythic piquancy.
Peppery heat, sour sorrows, exotic ebullient stew.
Wisps of buttery dreams, savory bliss,
divine delicacies,
bittersweet ecstasy.
peace, love, fulfillment
December 2009
Hi Avia,
My feelings I wrote in a poem a long while ago now:
This battle between, the dark and the light
Takes place in the womb – in the depth of the night
Before calling the light, we honour the dark
Release resentment and regret – listen – hark!
The dark’s triumph is brief, the wheel takes a turn
Fears have been confronted, as we grow and learn
New life is ready to flourish, promise waiting to be born
The Old King is no more, as the uterus is torn
The child is born, in all worlds he has power
We watch and wait, to welcome this hour
Leave your response!
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