Celtic Winter Solstice and the Blessing of the Cailleach
Hill of Tara, County Meath, Ireland
The Solstice and the Blessing of the Light and the Darkness
The passage tomb at Brú na Bóinne, Newgrange, is 5300 years old and predates the arrival of the Celts in Ireland.
As the Christmas season draws nearer, so too does the Winter Solstice, where the darkness reaches its peak, and we enter the longest night of the year and the shortest day, on the 21st of December. In ancient times, the Winter Solstice, or Grianstad, meaning “sunstop,” was one of the key liminal times in the Celtic Calendar. Like Samhain, our ancient ancestors believed it was a time of year with a particular supernatural charge. It was the point of the year when the world of our ancestors was at its darkest point, Meán Gheimhreadh meaning “midwinter”. Now, the light is slowly returning, and life is gradually returning to the land in anticipation of Imbolc and Spring.
The passage tomb at Brú na Bóinne, Newgrange, is 5300 years old and predates the arrival of the Celts in Ireland. This ancient and extraordinary structure was constructed to perfectly line up with the rising sun on the morning of the Winter Solstice. On that morning, the sunlight enters through the skybox window above the door in such a way as to completely flood the inner chamber of the passage tomb. Winter Solstice is an astronomical moment – the exact moment when our hemisphere tilts as far away from the sun as possible, and for some days after, the daylight gradually starts to increase, if only for a few seconds as it moves towards Spring.
The darkness of Winter is the season of the Cailleach, the wise old crone of Winter. Embracing the darkness is her realm. It is a difficult time for many, as this darkness slows us down and brings us more into connection with ourselves, which, in turn, means also meeting the aspects of ourselves we might have wanted to squash down or outrun. The long nights can feel painful for many. Yet, in turning into the darkness and making space for it with the wisdom of the support of the Cailleach, we understand that this, too, has its wisdom.
The Winter Solstice symbolises the Return of Light.
The ancient archetypal symbol of the triumph of light over darkness occurs in many cultures, religions, myths, and stories. Though we aim for the light (“good” or “hero/heroine”) to win, we still need both in our lives if we are in harmony with the seasons and the natural world around us. Each season has its gift and its wisdom. With each death comes new life.
The Cailleach, which translates as the old one or the Veiled One, is a timely reminder. She is an ancient Goddess whose origins are unknown. It is said that she is the maker of the land itself. She reminds us of the cycle of birth, death, transformation, and renewal. In spring, she transforms from the old woman to the inion bui, the yellow daughter (Brigid).
It is a reminder to us that the seeds sown in the winter darkness that lie dormant to the world above are working their way into the soil, in that darkness, creating roots to find nourishment, stability and grounding within that dark season. These seeds are quiet and silent to us, but within that darkness, they are preparing for the warmth of Spring. The Cailleach symbolises that transformation - both death and life force.
The Cailleach is the embodiment of Winter. In the old tales, she tapped her stick three times on the ground, signalling the beginning of Winter. She also created the mountains and hills by dropping stones from her apron as she crossed the landscape. She personifies the dying away of things and the transformative power of darkness, to embrace it and to trust that— and as we do so, to trust that the new light will return at the Winter Solstice.
Both light and darkness are needed. In the dark of Winter, the Cailleach reminds us to turn inward, to the hidden inner world of our soul selves, to our dreaming embodied selves to meet this transformation.
So, this Solstice, let us invite the Cailleach to support us as we transition to the lighter half of the year. Let us invite her to support us in the dark crossing and embrace the wisdom and wildness she personifies. May she bring us the beauty, wisdom, and transforming elements of Winter and darkness so we can prepare to embrace Spring with its unfolding.
New Meditation!*
In this guided visual meditation, we will explore the winter season in our outer world and how it can support us now in deepening our exploration of our own inner world. The meditation weaves in my native language, Gaeilge, the Irish language (with English translation), mythology, and poetry from the 8th Century and takes you on a journey through a dark winter night in Ireland and celebrating the returning light, bringing new hope and inspiration for the Spring season to come.
*Gain access for FREE access to the Winter Solstice Meditation
When you join “Returning to the Well - Healing the Mother Wound” Spring Program you will receive the Winter Solstice Meditation as a gift along with a bonus “Create Your Sanctuary” Mini Course and an exclusive Nollaig na mBan Online Gathering on January 5th, 2025.
