In ancient times, numerous beliefs and rituals were based on astronomical events. Many traditions that started then are still celebrated today. Tonight – the Winter Solstice – is one of those occasions.
Winter Solstice is the longest night of the year. Throughout much of history, societies were built around the amount of daylight available. The shortest day of the year, which comes with the longest night, was immensely important. It meant the harvest had passed, and they would live on stored goods until the spring. During the following months there would be hardship and even starvation for some.
Holidays may be a great time to see family and friends. They are also a time when we return to old patterns and behaviors. When we go back “home,” we revert to the relationships we had growing up, instead of acting as the grownups that we now are. These are the same relationships and patterns that formed our views of ourselves and our outlooks on life. Along with this, unconscious conflicts may come to the surface, which will cause us to end up in a three-sided behavior pattern.