Winter Solstice in the Slavic Land

Slovakia, December 2021

As the Earth continues to revolve around the Sun, people connected to nature celebrate Winter Solstice, the shortest day and longest night, that represents the energetic climax of the darkness on as many levels as one can comprehend. In the old times people believed that the darkness could endanger the world and ultimately destroy it. They called upon the powers of light to help the rebirth of the Sun, revival of the magic, miracles, and blessings.

Due to my origin my understanding of the Solstice is naturally tied to the legends and folk traditions of my people.

Slavic people celebrate their God Svarog who kneaded the Universe out of light and smelted the Sun. They have their own system of deities similar to Greek, Roman, and Norse mythology.

The Slavic cultural revival is one of my brother’s missions in life so I have the opportunity to experience festivities and witness ancient ceremonies that take place within smaller private circles. During this trip I got to participate in the Winter Solstice celebration that took place at my brother’s property due to the current lockdown. The Slovak government allowed the opening of all shops one week before Christmas but kept restaurants and all hospitality establishments closed.

The festivities began by lighting a sacred fire called live fire using flint and steel. It was followed by smudging which is the cleansing of all participants using the smoke of ceremonial herbs and tree sap. Following tradition, the houses and barns were also smudged after the circle of the people was cleansed. For the first time I got to impersonate Lucia (female light bearer) and smudge the hall of a large cabin outside of where the festivities were happening. After the cleanse, there was a welcome speech followed by a Sun wheel cake ceremony by which the feast table of homemade goods was opened. The whole scene was lit by a bonfire, candles, lanterns, and the light of the full moon. Electricity was turned off before the live fire was lit and was not turned back on until the next morning. There was a band (fiddles, upright bass, flutes, guitar, and male vocals) and two solo players (accordion and guitar) that filled the breaks so the music was playing with the crowd singing throughout the night.

When it was close to midnight, seven of the participants used the high energy levels to take a dip in a creek despite the frigid temperatures. This practice brings the body into a shock that boosts its healing powers and strengthens the spirit. After midnight two more ceremonies took place - podstrižiny - hair trimming for boys around seven years of age that symbolizes breaking a certain level of dependence from their mothers and name accepting - for those called to bear a new name, which happens when a life purpose is found, significant life change occurs or for other spiritual reasons.

All in all, celebrating the Solstice strengthens personal and community spirits by deepening into traditions giving us courage to face the future by focusing on light. I bet that whatever your ancestral roots are, your people, just like mine, have celebrated the Winter Solstice and so can you, even if it is alone or within a small circle of family and friend, around a candle if building a fire is not practical.

May you have a wonderful trip around the Sun in the upcoming year that is filled with peace, health and harmony.

Slovak version of this article in magazine Native Path published here.