Pagans all around the globe will be celebrating their own winter holiday that stems from ancient rites honoring the birth of light into the world. Winter solstice, also known as Midwinter, occurs once between December 20th to 23rd each year in the Northern Hemisphere when this part of the earth is at its farthest distance from the sun. It is at this point we begin the trek back to the sun.

Because of this apparent return of sunlight, ancient peoples considered this time the ending of the darkness and coming of the light. From this belief sprang myths surrounding the birth of various sun gods from around the globe. It also brought forth the many death and rebirth stories in so many cultures including the myth of the Egyptian gods Isis, Osiris, and Horus.

Osiris had been killed by his brother Set who wanted his throne. Isis, Queen of Heaven and Osiris' sister and wife, was able to bring him back to life briefly with the use of magic. At this time she became pregnant by Osiris with their child Horus. Many believed Horus to actually be Osiris reborn or resurrected and thus supporting the death/rebirth theme of the story.

Celebrations arose from the belief of the rebirth of the sun god. Festivals are believed to have started in Egypt with feasts, fires and decorations to represent the sun. This idea spread to other areas around the globe over the centuries. In fact, many of the traditions we have today such as decorating with evergreens and other plants encouraging the emergence of the sun came from these older festivals.

Not all celebrations honored the male aspect only however. Many sun goddesses were honored, especially those whose sphere of influence was seen as the home and hearth.

Pagans who also practice magic will sometimes incorporate the energy of this time of year into their work. It is an especially effective time to do magic where the focus is to end a old way of living or thinking and beginning a new way. This can be as simple as lighting a candle and doing a personal reflection on those habits or ideas that you wish to be brought out of the darkness and into the light. Even the popular New Year's resolution can be done in a magical way.

Whether you are actively involved in group ritual revolving around the solstice and/or honoring the gods of your tradition or a solitary Pagan making a private offering at your own fireplace, you are part of a long tradition of welcoming the light back into the world.