{"id":1617,"date":"2016-12-23T02:44:12","date_gmt":"2016-12-23T02:44:12","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.sacredearthjourneys.ca\/blog\/?p=1617"},"modified":"2017-01-20T18:59:55","modified_gmt":"2017-01-20T18:59:55","slug":"solstice-holiday-traditions-from-around-the-world","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.sacredearthjourneys.ca\/blog\/solstice-holiday-traditions-from-around-the-world\/","title":{"rendered":"Solstice & Holiday Traditions from Around the World"},"content":{"rendered":"

December 21st<\/sup> marks the winter solstice in the Northern Hemisphere \u2013 the shortest day of the year and the start of winter. As we cozily ready ourselves for the Holidays we thought it would be fun to explore Christmas and Solstice traditions from some of the countries we will be visiting in 2017! However you celebrate at this time of year, we wish you joy, light, and love.<\/p>\n

Helen & the team at Sacred Earth Journeys<\/p>\n

Mexico<\/strong><\/p>\n

Many Christmas celebrations in Mexico today are connected to the story of the birth of Jesus \u2013 from Dec 16th<\/sup> to Christmas Eve children often perform Las Posadas, a novenario celebration where they travel to a different house \u2013 or \u201cinn\u201d \u2013 each night looking for someone to let them in. Once let inside a house, the participants pray around a Nativity scene (nacimiento), sing carols, and the children can have fun opening (often star-shaped) pi\u00f1atas. On January 6th<\/sup>, to celebrate the Epiphany, it is traditional to eat a \u201cRosca de Reyes\u201d bread-like fuit cake in celebration of the arrival of the Three Kings. Large ceremonies also take place at Izamal for both the winter and summer solstices where large numbers of people gather at this important city to re-connect with the spirit of Father Itzamna.<\/p>\n

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A Nativity Scene in Izamal, Mexico. Photo: AlejandroLinaresGarcia<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Bolivia<\/strong><\/p>\n

Bolivia has a large catholic population so many people attend midnight mass on Christmas Eve (the \u201cMisa de Gallo\u201d) after which they enjoy a celebratory meal togther of \u201cpicana\u201d, a type of meat stew with potatoes and corn in a beer and\/or wine broth. Nativity scenes are quite common in Bolivia but exchanging presents is less so!<\/p>\n

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Caption: A tradtional Picana de navidad. (http:\/\/www.recetas.com.bo\/content\/picana-de-navidad)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Ireland<\/strong><\/p>\n

Christmas in Ireland is fairly similar to Christmas in North America, but a few particular traditions remain in parts of the country. One old tradition is to put a tall candle on a window ledge after sunset on Christmas Eve as a welcome light for Mary and Joseph. On St. Stephen\u2019s Day (Boxing Day), families traditionally took part in a Wren Boy Procession. By some accounts, the procession celebrates a failed plot during Penal Times (1700-1829) when a group of wrens (small but vocally impressive birds in the UK and Ireland) woke Cromwell\u2019s sleeping soldiers thus averting a planned ambush by the local Irish. The wren was subsequently known as \u201cThe Devil\u2019s Bird\u201d! People dress up in costumes and walk from house to house with a holly \u201cwren\u201d on a long pole (historically a real wren was killed and placed on the pole!), singing a rhyme asking for a penny to bury the wren. The full procession has somewhat disappeared now, but the tradition of visiting people\u2019s houses on St. Stephen\u2019s Day continues and is part of the Christmas celebrations today.<\/p>\n

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Inti Raymi Festival at Sacsayhuaman, Cusco (Photo: Cynthia Motta)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Peru<\/strong><\/p>\n

Of course, in Peru, as in other countries in the Southern Hemisphere, winter solstice is celebrated in June. The main celebration for the winter solstice takes places in Cusco and is known as Inti Raymi, The Sun God Festival. This ancient Inca celebration was almost threatened with extinction by Spanish colonialism, but managed to survive and, since the 1950s, has seen a resurgence. The festival now hosts thousands of people from Peru and around the world, and is considered one of the biggest festivals in South America.<\/p>\n

Sacred Solstice Rituals<\/strong><\/p>\n

How do you currently celebrate the solstice time or the Holidays? What are some of your favourite traditions? We\u2019d love to hear them in the comments section below or you can share your thoughts on our Facebook<\/a> page too!<\/p>\n

If you\u2019re inspired to visit any of the countries above, we have several journeys planned for next year that will interest you! Visit our website<\/a> for full Tour Descriptions and Itineraries.<\/p>\n

Mexico:<\/strong><\/p>\n