Embrace the Winter Solstice: A Time for Renewal

The Winter Solstice occurs exactly when the Earth’s axial tilt is farthest away from the sun at its maximum of 23° 26′. The term Winter Solstice is also colloquially used as Midwinter. More evident to those in high latitudes, it represents the shortest day, the longest night, and when the sun’s daily maximum position in the sky is the lowest. The seasonal significance of the Winter Solstice is in the reversal of the gradual lengthening of nights and shortening of days. Depending on the shift of the calendar, the Winter Solstice occurs on December 21 or 22 each year in the Northern Hemisphere, and June 20 or 21 in the Southern Hemisphere.

Sadly, though, it is a day that most people in the West barely notice, simply because of their fixation on Christmas, December 25, or the Gregorian New Year, Jan 1.

“The Winter Solstice symbolizes the dawn of a new era, offering an opportunity for personal growth and spiritual renewal. It represents the turning point where the days gradually become longer, inviting a resurgence of light and energy.”

Astro-theologists say that it marks the day when the Son of God, represented by the actual sun, pauses for three days before once again ascending in the sky.

Symbolic

Since the event is seen as the reversal of the Sun’s ebbing presence in the sky, concepts of the rebirth of sun gods are common and, in cultures using cyclic calendars based on the solstices, the year has been celebrated as reborn and of new beginnings.

“In Greek mythology, the Winter Solstice was a time when gods and goddesses gathered, reflecting its importance as a moment of transition and renewal. Many cultures celebrate this day as a time for rebirth and new beginnings.”

Sun Worship

Any way you look at it, it is an auspicious occasion and one that all of us should pay attention to by harnessing those shifting energies to our benefit. We can best do that by offering our respects to the Sun with a heart filled with gratitude. Practitioners of bhakti traditions will tell us that one need not bother with worshiping nature, but need only to “water the root the tree” by chanting the holy name of God instead. However, in the same scriptures they quote from, the Sun or Surya is described as the “eye of God.” A closer study of these same devotional traditions teach us that Sun worship does in indeed take place daily in the form of the Gayatri mantra. The Gayatri mantra, regarded as one of the most sacred of the Hindu hymns, is dedicated to the Sun. Brahmans will privately chant the Gayatri mantra three times daily, just before dawn, at noon and finally at dusk.

Hinduism

In the Sanskrit Vedas, numerous hymns are dedicated to Surya/Mitra dev, the Sun personified, and Savitr, “the impeller”, a solar deity either identified with or associated with Surya. The Adityas are a group of solar deities, from the Brahmana period numbering twelve. The ritual of sandhyavandanam, performed by some Hindus, is an elaborate set of hand gestures and body movements, designed to greet and revere the Sun.

“In Hinduism, the Sun God, known as Surya, is revered as a powerful deity symbolizing life and energy. The Gayatri Mantra, a sacred hymn, is dedicated to Surya and is chanted to honor his life-giving presence.”

The Sun is referred to in Sanskrit as “Mitra” or “Friend” down to the invariable warmth, life-giving nature, and optimism its light brings to mankind. He is also called “Prati-Aksh Devta,” meaning “The Seen Divinity”.

The Mahabharata describes one of its warrior heroes, Karna, as being the son of the righteous queen Kunti, who was impregnated by the Sun God. Sri Rama from the famous Ramayana descended from the Surya dynasty or clan of kings as bright as the Sun.

Mother Gayatri

The Gayatri Mantra consists of twenty-four syllables – three lines of eight syllables each. The first line (Aum Bhur Bhuvah Swah) is considered an invocation, and is not technically a part of the original Gayatri Mantra as it appears in the Upanishads. Gayatri is also referred to as a Vedic poetic meter of 24 syllables or any hymn composed in this meter. Hence, there exists a whole family of Gayatri Mantras, which serve as meditative aids to pray for the blessings of a particular personal God.

A basic translation can be given as…

Oh God, the Protector, the basis of all life, Who is self-existent, Who is free from all pains and Whose contact frees the soul from all troubles, Who pervades the Universe and sustains all, the Creator and Energizer of the whole Universe, the Giver of happiness, Who is worthy of acceptance, the most excellent, Who is Pure and the Purifier of all, let us embrace that very God, so that He may direct our mental faculties in the right direction

Ancient Egypt

Sun worship was exceptionally prevalent in ancient Egyptian religion. The earliest deities associated with the sun are Wadjet, Sekhmet, Hathor, Nut, Bast, Bat, and Menhit. First Hathor, and then Isis, gave birth to and nursed Horus and Ra.

Modern attitudes towards the Sun

In mundane dealings, it is often said that one should not trust someone who doesn’t look you in the eye when shaking hands or greeting you. And yet our hurried lives are causing us to do just that every single day when the Sun rises to greet us. We are usually not there, but are snoring away in ignorance, oblivious to the beauty and power that comes with greeting the Sun. The birds and other animals certainly realize the benefits of praising the early morning Sun. The early morning is a veritable symphony of song and dance performed by the animals and insects in praise of the Sun.

“For centuries, yogis, brahmans, and Qi practitioners have recognized the health benefits of rising early to greet the sun. This practice aligns with the Vedic concept of Brahma Muhurta, a powerful time for meditation and spiritual activities.”

In Asian countries, it is common to find thousands of people performing tai chi, meditation, or prayer just before sunrise. The Vedas state that a 48-minute period beginning 1 hour 36 minutes before Sunrise is called the Brahma Muhurta and is considered the most powerful time for any kind of prayer or meditation.

The Brahma Muhurta, or Hour of God in the Indian tradition, is a time of great energy and tranquility. The Vedic seers came to discover that this is the time that the cosmic gods meditate and start to perform their heavenly duties at the command of the Supreme Lord Visnu. Even if you are a complete beginner in meditation, you will encounter very little resistance if you meditate at this time.

Sun Gazing

“Sun Gazing, an ancient Indian practice, involves safely observing the sun at sunrise. This ritual is believed to enhance physical and mental well-being, though it must be practiced with caution to avoid eye damage.”

It is important to remember that staring directly into the sun can be dangerous and, therefore must be done with great caution. However, according to world-renowned sunhealing teacher Hira Ratan Manek (pictured below), the benefits far outweigh the dangers.

For centuries, people and researchers believed that it was impossible for human beings to live their lives without sustenance and that their vision would be destroyed by looking straight at the sun. Based on science, human eyes are not strong enough to resist the damage of direct sunlight, while the human body has a natural cycle of hunger that has to be curbed. However, modern sungazing devotees like Mason Howe Dwinell write that people can overcome such obstacles and even achieve the impossible of living off light alone, in his groundbreaking book, The Earth Was Flat: Insight into the Ancient Practice of Sungazing.

Sunscreens

Another paranoia fed to us these days by the pharmaceutical companies is the need for us to use sunscreen lotions to protect our bodies from dangerous UV rays. However, it is important to understand that there are some serious dangers associated with sunscreen, starting with the fact that most popular brands contain a large number of toxic chemicals that can invade your skin and actually increase the chance for cancer to arise! The main culprits are: Oxybenzone, PABA, Titanium Dioxide, and Dioxybenzone.

Vitamin D

In addition, these cancer-causing creams block the overall production of Vitamin D in the body. When our bodies are deficient in Vitamin D, either through the overuse of sunscreens or through a lifestyle that keeps us out of the sun, many negative health consequences occur, for example:

1. Weakening of the bones.
2. Inability to absorb calcium.
3. Slowing of cell regeneration
4. Potential for developing various types of cancers
5. Depression

Also, insufficient sunlight in the short winter days increases the secretion of melatonin in the body, throwing off the circadian rhythm with longer sleep. Exercise, light therapy, and increased negative ion exposure (which can be attained from plants and well-ventilated flames, burning wood, or beeswax) can reinvigorate the body from its seasonal lull and relieve winter blues by decreasing melatonin secretions, increasing serotonin, and temporarily creating a more balanced sleeping pattern.

Don’t be afraid of the light

It is time to remember just how wonderful and beneficial the Sun is to our physical, mental and spiritual health. Arise O’ living dead and seek the light of the Sun wherever and whenever you can get it. We are all light beings and the Sun is the very source of all light!

For further reading on Sun Worship see: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Solar_deity

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FAQ

Q: What is the Winter Solstice?

A: The Winter Solstice is an astronomical event marking the shortest day and longest night of the year. It occurs when Earth’s axial tilt is farthest from the sun, usually around December 21 or 22 in the Northern Hemisphere.

Q: Why is the Winter Solstice significant?

A: The Winter Solstice symbolizes the return of longer days and the gradual increase of sunlight. It is celebrated in various cultures as a time of renewal, rebirth, and spiritual reflection.

Q: How is the Winter Solstice celebrated in different cultures?

A: Many cultures celebrate the Winter Solstice with festivals, rituals, and traditions that honor the sun’s return. These celebrations often include feasts, music, and symbolic acts of renewal.

Q: What is the spiritual meaning of the Winter Solstice?

A: Spiritually, the Winter Solstice represents a time for introspection, renewal, and the awakening of consciousness. It is seen as an opportunity to embrace new beginnings and personal growth.

Q: How can I celebrate the Winter Solstice?

A: You can celebrate the Winter Solstice by spending time in nature, reflecting on personal growth, and participating in rituals or traditions that honor the sun’s return, such as lighting candles or meditating.

Q: What is the Gayatri Mantra?

A: The Gayatri Mantra is a sacred Hindu hymn dedicated to the Sun God, Surya. It is chanted to invoke spiritual enlightenment and is an important part of daily rituals for many Hindus.

Q: What is Sun Gazing?

A: Sun Gazing is the practice of safely observing the sun at sunrise or sunset. It is believed to enhance physical and mental well-being, though it should be done with caution to protect the eyes.

Q: What are the health benefits of sunlight?

A: Sunlight is essential for producing Vitamin D, which supports bone health, immune function, and mood regulation. Exposure to sunlight can also help regulate sleep patterns and boost overall well-being.

Q: What is Brahma Muhurta?

A: Brahma Muhurta is a period before sunrise considered highly auspicious for meditation and spiritual activities. It is believed to be a time of great energy and tranquility.

Q: How does the Winter Solstice affect our circadian rhythm?

A: The shorter days and longer nights of the Winter Solstice can disrupt circadian rhythms, leading to increased melatonin production and changes in sleep patterns. Light exposure and routine adjustments can help mitigate these effects.