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My Solstice Fortnight
A better holiday for the northern hemisphere
I’ve been taking a break from work since 20 December after finishing grading final papers and writing two long articles on religious belief systems (Christianity and Atheism). I celebrated the new year on the winter solstice and then shut down for two weeks. I’m back to work today, refreshed from taking my solstice fortnight.
For many centuries, northern cultures have had a holiday around the solstice to mark the turn of the season. In Scandinavian cultures they have the revels — a celebration of song and dance to drive the dark away and rekindle the spark of life.
Last year, I proposed as an alternative to the two Christmases a solstice holiday, and not just a single day or night but a true period of reset and restoration: the Solstice Fortnight.
Dead of Night in the Afternoon
For me, the new year begins on the winter solstice. The darkest day of the year is also literally the rebirth of the world, a first step toward the return to light and hope.
It’s frelling dark and pretty damn cold this time of year. Being born and raised in Minnesota, I supposedly should be into winter sports and activities. I’m not. Warmth. I like warmth. Not that I don’t enjoy a good blizzard once or twice a…
