Tigger Club News
By Animals - For Animals
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The winter solstice marks the first day of winter. It normally falls around December the 21st each year in the northern hemisphere and around June 21st in the southern hemisphere.

It is the shortest day and longest night of the year.

Druids (Celtic priests) would cut mistletoe from oak tress and hand it out as a blessing .
Oaks wee seen as sacred and mistletoe was a symbol of life in the darker months.

The Celts thought the sun stood still for twelve days in the middle of winter. During this time a log, the Yule log, was lit the hope and belief that the sun would return to conquer the darkness, banish evil spirits and bring luck for the coming year.

There are many ancient sites and stone circles around the UK that were built to align themselves with the solstices for Celts to gather and celebrate. There are some tombs that are built in a specific direction so that the sunset on the day of the winter solstice passes down the entrance passage into the inside wall.

Although no one is exactly sure why some stone circles and ancient sites were built, Archaeologists have discovered that they have been used for rituals and celebrations for many seasons and solstices.

Today many still gather for ritual or just to see the sun set or rise, depending on the date and reason for gathering.