Embracing the Winter Solstice: A Journey into Ancient Wisdom and Herbalism

The entrance to Newgrange, a Neolithic passage tomb in Ireland, aligns with the Winter Solstice.

As the days grow shorter and nights stretch long, we approach a moment that has captivated humanity for millennia: the Winter Solstice. This event occurs on December 21st, when the sun is at its closest to the horizon, creating the longest night of the year.

Interestingly, December 25th was chosen as the day Christ was born by early Church leaders around 336 AD for symbolic reasons, linking it to Winter Solstice festivities.

The solstice is a turning point, a transition when days start to grow longer and light returns. It symbolizes rebirth and new beginnings, the cycle of life. The Solstice is an astronomical event steeped in history, spirituality, and the rhythms of the universe. For those of us with Irish roots, it holds a particularly deep resonance. It's a time when the veil between realms of existence thins, and the presence of our ancestors and the departed feels closer than ever.

The Shortest Day: A New Beginning for Ancient Farmers

In ancient Ireland, particularly for early farming communities, the Winter Solstice was a moment of immense significance and celebration. Known as Grianstad, or "the day of the stopped sun," it marked the shortest day of the year. More importantly, it signaled the beginning of the end of encroaching cold and darkness, heralding the promise of a new year and the rebirth of nature. The solstice festival and celebrations in Ireland date back at least six thousand years, possibly even further, as evidenced by megalithic structures aligned with the solstice.

These early farmers relied entirely on the land for survival. The return of the light meant renewed life for crops, animals, and themselves. Feasts, bonfires, dancing, drinking, and spiritual ceremonies were integral to these celebrations. It was a powerful symbol of life's inevitable victory over death, perhaps promising new life to the spirits of the departed.

Newgrange: A Testament to Neolithic Ingenuity and a Personal Encounter

The Winter Solstice in ancient Ireland is perhaps best embodied by Newgrange (see photo above), a UNESCO World Heritage site and a breathtaking example of Neolithic engineering. This 5,200-year-old passage tomb famously aligns with the winter solstice sunrise. The structure resembles a massive womb, covered in glittering quartz, projecting from the ground.

Within the mound is a passageway lined with stones carved with spirals and other sacred symbols. It is also surrounded by the kerbstones seen above, which mark the boundary of the tomb and are believed to represent cosmology, or the sun's cycle. For a few days around December 21st, golden sunlight from the rising sun penetrates the corridor and enters the tomb through a small opening or 'roof box' above the entrance. The symbols carved on the walls are illuminated, as well as the carved stone at the back of the passageway. This is a union of sky and earth, of male and female energies—a generative act that transports warmth and life-giving energy from the sun into the winter soil.

This dramatic event, lasting about 17 minutes each of the mornings, reveals the extraordinary genius and skill of its builders, as astonishing today as it was millennia ago.

On our last visit to Ireland in 2023, we were privileged to explore the adjacent passage tombs of Dowth and nearby Loughcrew. We also visited Drumbeg Circle while in the south. All align with the Winter Solstice. Being immersed in these ceremonial landscapes created an immense sense of awe and respect for those who came before us and their connection to the landscape.

When Worlds Collide: The Thinning Veil

Across many cultures, the Winter Solstice was considered a liminal time when the "veil between the worlds" was thought to be thin. This concept suggests that the boundary separating the earthly realm from the realm of the ancestors becomes porous, allowing glimpses into the future, spiritual insights, and communication with those who have passed.

During this time, people seek wisdom or blessings, ask for protection, and gain foresight into future events. Even today, groups gather at ancient sites like Newgrange, connecting with these timeless energies.

For the departed, it's an opportunity to participate in the ongoing cycle of life and death, reinforcing their connection to the living world. Existence is not linear but a continuous loop. Death is not an end but a transformation or transition to another state of being within the same giant cycle. Visiting the earthly realm ensures the continuity and balance of existence. Spirits offer wisdom and experience, much as they would have in life. Their presence is an affirmation of their place in the lineage, strengthening the bonds between past, present, and future generations. This underscores the belief that the dead remain integral members of the community, even in their altered state.

It is an existence where all beings, visible and invisible, play a role in the unfolding narrative of life, death, and renewal. This fosters a sense of continuity and meaning, even in the face of loss, by emphasizing the enduring connection between all realms.

A Personal Reclamation: From Harvard RN to Clinical Herbalist

My own journey into herbalism has been a reclamation of this deep ancestral connection to the land and its healing traditions. After working as a Registered Nurse at a Harvard-affiliated teaching hospital, I trained as an artist and received an MFA in Fine Arts. An invitation to an artist residency in Ireland unexpectedly reconnected me with a forgotten family legacy.

My mother's family, the Ó Laoidhighs (Lee), a clan from Connaught, were a Hereditary Herbalism Family—esteemed physicians to kings. My father's family, the Ó Troighthighs (Troy), based in Munster, were as well. They even ran an herbal medical school from 1400 to 1700. Learning this brought a profound sense of purpose to me, setting me on the path of intense training to become a Clinical Herbalist and run my own Herbalism shop for the last nine years. The history had been lost for generations, but I'm proud to reclaim the ancient wisdom that has allowed me to stand amongst my ancestors.

For my ancestors, the Winter Solstice would have been a time to carry the spiritual and herbal traditions of the Druids forward, honoring the cycles of nature. The Solstice would have been a time for gathering herbs like Mistletoe, carefully harvested on the Winter Solstice with a golden sickle, ensuring it didn't touch the ground to preserve its magical properties. It was believed to ward off evil spirits, bring good luck, heal diseases, neutralize poisons, and grant fertility to humans and animals.

Juniper Berries would be gathered for purification and protection. Bringing evergreens like Holly or Ivy indoors was thought to bring the hope of new life. They also offered a resting place for spirits fleeing the cold and darkness. The Winter Solstice was a time to acknowledge the need for rest and the power of darkness, to honor the ancestors, and to prepare for the gradual return of light and life. They understood that the "midwinter" period was a time for healing and renewal, both physical and spiritual.

The Return to Ancient Wisdom: Why it Matters Today

Today, we are witnessing a powerful resurgence of interest in ancient traditions of healing, particularly herbalism. Many are seeking alternatives due to accessibility and the rising cost of healthcare. People are leaning into holistic approaches, gentle remedies, and recognizing the deep connection between our health and the land. Herbs are sought for their nuanced support and their ability to work with the body's innate wisdom.

As we approach this Winter Solstice, let's remember the wisdom of those who came before us. Let us honor the cyclical nature of life, the power of renewal, and the profound connection between humanity and the natural world. It is a time to pause, reflect, and perhaps, like me, reclaim a piece of ancient knowledge that can illuminate our path forward in healing.

If you're interested in exploring how herbal remedies can support your journey to wellness, I invite you to visit my shop, Spiral Herbal Remedies, located at 810 Washington Ave in Brooklyn, or better yet, join one of our classes. Let's rediscover the healing power of nature together.

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Explore our healing herbal offerings today and start on your own path to wellness. Happy Solstice!