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Winter Solstice Traditions

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Please enjoy these selection of articles on Celtic Winter Solstice traditions including Hunting the Wren, the Mummers and Mumming, Yule and the Yule Log, the Candle in the Window and the Laden Table in Ireland, Druid symbolism, particularly Holly and Mistletoe, Hogamany, Scottish New Year and Auld Lang Syne, Yule and the Yule Log and Caroling in the Celtic Tradition and Newgrange

And, please enjoy our collections of Celtic Winter Solstice Poetry, Celtic Winter Solstice Reading List and our Celtic Blessings, for your Solstice Greeting Cards. Enjoy!

December, Brigid & the Sun Gods
December, Brigid & the Sun Gods
December marks the celebration of many solar "Saviors" and Gods, usually on or about December 25th. Many of them have the word "Light" in their titles. They include, Sol, Apollo and of course, Jesus Christ.A particularly interesting merger of the old and new ways was that of Brigid, initialy an anicent Godess, who was later credited as the mid wife at the birth of Jesus and famously became "Mary of...
The Horn Dance, Going door-to-door, Celtic mid-Winter
The Horn Dance, Going door-to-door, Celtic mid-Winter
The Horn Dance:A dance performed from All Souls to the Twelfth Nigh in hopes of bringing in Good Luck for the New Year!In many of the Celtic cultures, the tradition of going door-to-door and caroling or the idea of procession throughout the year was common. For example, All Souls Night or Samhain (sow- an) has come down to us as Halloween; this is a night when going door to door is still part of our...
Hogmanay & Auld Lang Syne
Hogmanay & Auld Lang Syne
Hogmanay is bascially Scottish New Year and most likely had its roots in ancient fire festivals that occurred during the "Daft Days" what would later have become the 12 Days of Christmas.Here's Robert Byrnes version of Auld Lang Syne and the current story of Hogmanay.Click here to hear Auld Lang Syne (MP3 here) Track 8
The Mummers and Celtic Winter Solstice
The Mummers and Celtic Winter Solstice
While the origin of the mummers remains unclear, they were still a vital part of Irish tradition up to the present century. Much like the 'wren boys,' and 'straw boys,' they went from house to house on St. Stephen's Day (December 26th) or during the long winter days providing entertainment.What distingusishes them, however, is that they performed plays, as opposed to just music or general entertainment...
Twelfth Night & Women's Christmas in Ireland
Twelfth Night & Women's Christmas in Ireland
Traditionally Nollaig na mBan was Twelfth Night and it closed out the Season!The Twelve Days of Christmas in Ireland run from from Christmas Day (Dec. 25th) until the feast of the Epiphany on January 6th which is also referred to as Nollaig na mBan (Women's Christman) or Little Christmas.Click here to hear "Dove's Return" (MP3 Download here "Winter Solstice Music 1" Track 8; or on the CD/DVD "Winter...