Winter Solstice

I'm not so sure about today's  prompt.  It asks if we do anything special to celebrate Winter Solstice.

Heck, I wouldn't have even known it was winter solstice if they hadn't told me.  Do people really do something special to celebrate the shortest day of the year??

I thought this was a good question so, of course, I googled it.  It does seem that certain cultures and pagan religions celebrate the winter solstice. 

I found the following articles interesting.  I hope you do too.

In ancient tradition, Iranians celebrate winter solstice

On Shab-e Yalda, summer fruits and poetry help mark the triumph of Mithra, the Sun God, over darkness.
http://www.latimes.com/local/la-me-adv-persian-winter-solstice-20131221,0,5632744.story#ixzz2o708GtNU

Ian Temple arch druid of the Dorset grove dressed as the green man during the Winter Solstice service at Stonehenge. Credit: Neil Munns/PA Wire

In many cultures and religions, the winter solstice is used to mark the beginning of a year or seen as a cause for celebration. The winter solstice signifies rebirth, a theme which can be found in many winter holidays.
www.Cecildaily.com

 

 

The Newgrange Winter Solstic yesterday morning. Picture By David Conachy. 21/12/2013