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The Winter Solstice

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Solstice Chocolate
Refrigerator Christmas Cake
recipe on blog

 

 

Dreaming of a Dark Christmas
Dreaming of a Dark Christmas

 

 


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The shortest day of the year is December the 21st. In the North of the world the winter can be very long, dark and cold so on this day we celebrate the return to light! Get those candles out! We usually visit a stone circle near us. A meditation or prayer adds a spiritual dimension to the proceedings - a candle helps children to focus their attention on this if even for a short time. We return home for to the warm fire for a Solstice feast. See the Yule page for lots of recipes.

Below are some photos from the winter Solstice 2006:

 

 

'Celebrate the Solstice - honoring the Earth's seasonal rhythms through festival and ceremony' by Richard Heinberg. A very detailed, scholarly look at the ancient ways of marking the Solstices. Suggestions for present day celebrations too.

Buy UK or Buy US

 'The Winter Solstice' by Ellen Jackson and Jan Davey Ellis - for children - a wonderful look at the different traditions of the solstice from a variety of cultures. The author has good ideas for explaining the tilt of the earth in relation to the sun to children. The book finishes with a Cherokee creation tale.

Buy UK or Buy US

 

 

'Vegetarian Christmas' by Rose Elliot. Not exclusively vegan but there is a plethora of vegan delights included and most of the lacto-ovo recipes are easily 'veganisable'. Our favourite Christmas dinner of Chestnut and Red wine pate en croute is one of many included here along with lots of advice on taking the work out of Christmas catering. This book is full of ideas for lots of special touches which can be prepared early and frozen - a firm favourite with us and lots to please everyone. Now out of print but the hardcover is available cheaply at both the UK and USA Amazons below and has lots of lovely photographs throughout! We love this book so much we even wrote a blog post on it!

Buy UK or Buy US

 

Looking ahead to the next season: 'The Spring Equinox - celebrating the greening of the Earth' - stories from different cultures and traditions - also hands on activities for children.

Buy UK or Buy US

For more seasonal childrens books visit the Summer Solstice page or festive page.