The Winter Solstice, by John Matthews

Each year around this time I pick up my copy of The Winter Solstice: The Sacred Traditions of Christmas, by John Matthews (with contributions from Caitlin Matthews).

This is a difficult book to review, mainly because its content is so diverse, so I’ll do my best to point out portions of the book that may prove to be of greatest interest.

The dust jacket describes John Matthews as an “internationally renowned authority on the Arthurian and Grail traditions, with a special interest in the lore of the Celtic peoples.” Indeed, I’ve come across the author’s name in many of my forays into Celtic lore. I also have his wife, Caitlin Matthews’, book The Celtic Spirit : Daily Meditations for the Turning Year, and the two Matthews designed the Arthurian Tarot together.

Most people who celebrate Christmas know that numerous elements of our modern traditions come from older religions than Christianity, but the range of source traditions astounds me. There is, for instance, no one source of the practice of observing the winter solstice itself, of myths involving the death or sacrifice and rebirth of a deity, or of father and son symbols for the old year and the new. Many sources are cited in the book as possible origins of Santa Claus, of the giving of gifts, and the custom of bringing greenery indoors.

It’s not the diversity of customs that fascinates me so much as the variety of myths and stories that impact on an emotional level. When I consider the winter solstice traditions presented here, as a whole, I realize how similar all cultures are in their most basic concerns. The winter solstice was a time of great disquiet to people who lived close to the earth, more than a couple of centuries ago. The shortening of days, scarcity of food, and intense cold of winter carried far deeper implications for those who lived directly off the land and couldn’t quickly transport needed goods. It’s no surprise some important and deeply meaningful traditions arose from the resulting insecurity about the future. Isn’t the core of every religion concern for the future, especially for one’s spiritual future? How much greater was this concern to people living off the land, who didn’t know if they would survive beyond winter? Perhaps this is why early Christian leaders selected the winter solstice as the time to celebrate the birth of a savior. The emotions native to this time of year must certainly have enhanced conversion of people to the new religion. Or was a higher intelligence at work in the timing? Did God choose to send his son at a time when people felt most in need of hope? (Note, these questions are mine and are not addressed directly in the book.)

Whatever the reason behind the timing of Christmas so near the solstice, and whatever your beliefs about it or your reason for reading, you’ll find a wealth of information in The Winter Solstice. This impressively researched book even contains ideas for creating celebrations and traditions of your own. It’s a fitting tribute to this most ancient holy day. If your celebration centers around the birth of Jesus, never fear. There’s a wealth of commentary and research included on traditions specific to Christianity. But an open mind is required to sift through the myth, legend, history, and blending of customs. This is not a book conducive to fundamentalist thinking about religion—any religion, Christian, pagan or otherwise. It’s far better suited to those with a penchant for myth and speculation.

A few of the subjects covered in the first chapter are The Returning Sun, Chambers of the Sun and Sun-Rites, with mention of those ancient structures built for the purpose of calculating or demonstrating the sun’s return at the turn of the solstice, such as Stonehenge in England and New Grange in Ireland. Zuni houses in North America contained “plates fixed to their walls that were lit by the rays of the sun passing through a small window. This only happened one day out of the 365.” At the Mayan site of Kukulkan in Chichen Itza, Mexico, “the light of the rising sun crawls down the steps of the pyramid, forming the shape of a serpent,” which eventually joins the serpent head shape carved into the foot of the pyramid’s steps. Saturnalia, New Year rites, the Celtic Calendar, and the sun gods of Egypt and elsewhere are also mentioned, as well as a fifteen hundred-year-old Jewish commentary on the Babylonian Talmud. This is just a taste, mind you, and only from the first chapter.

The information is presented in an almost encyclopedic format of short sections, so it’s easy to pick up and read a few paragraphs. But these paragraphs will easily draw you in for a longer read. It can be read straight through, or enjoyed as a coffee table book to share with friends, and to stimulate discussion and speculation. It’s a must-read, for me, during the December holidays.

The Winter Solstice: The Sacred Traditions of Christmas

And now for a little fun from Get Religion, with best wishes for a Happy Chrismahanukwanzakah!

Other articles related to this topic:

Javadi’s thoughts: Persian Roots of Christian Traditions

The Amorphous One: The Reason for the Season

Spicy Cauldron: The comfort of the season (a poem)

PsychoAlice’s Wonderland: You call it Christmas, we call it Yule

Joyce in the mts: ‘Tis the Season! Feed the Light!