Have Yourself a Soulful Solstice

The sun is great entertainment. No electricity required, free admission, and best of all, the show always starts on time. Ever since man could recognize the patterns and rhythms of the universe, he has acknowledged the way the sun moves across the horizon. Without knowing that the Earth is in orbit and tilted on its axis, man ascribed sacred attributes to the sun and long ago began celebrating the “return of the sun” after an alarming succession of ever-shortening days. No wonder they lighted candles on the winter solstice, the day each year when Earth is farthest away from the sun. Here in the Northern Hemisphere, that day will be Friday at 11:21 a.m.

Megalithic structures like Stonehenge in England, Newgrange in Ireland and Maeshowe in Scotland were built centuries ago for unknown reasons, but they all are aligned with the solstices [structures were built so that at solstice a line could be drawn from some part of the structure directly to the sun. Or a small opening in the structure would only permit sunlight to enter that structure at solstice]. Aztec and Mayan cultures also paid homage to the sun cycles when they built their cities. In California, the cave paintings of the Chumash Indians demonstrate a possible connection to seasonal changes.

Families looking for a respite from the commercialism of the holiday season might look to a simple winter solstice celebration to acknowledge the ancient nature-based observance. Christmas, after all, has only been around for about 1,600 years. Solstice celebrations are thousands of years older.

Light is a main component in most winter solstice observances. In ancient cultures, it was believed that burning candles would bring back the sun. The Persian holiday of Yalda was observed by burning fires all night to help the sun chase away the darkness. Start a family tradition by asking each family member to write a poem or song about the sun and light a candle after each recitation.

You might even consider making a small replica of Stonehenge using only a stake (for reference) 50 feet of rope, 20 to 30 markers (stones, boxes, almost anything works here) and a compass. Further instructions can be found at www.familyeducation.com (click on “activities,” then “backyard science”).

Saturday, pack a lunch and fill a thermos with some hot cider or chocolate, and spend the shortest day of the year at Griffith Park Observatory at the last Star Party of the year. The Los Angeles Astronomical Society and Los Angeles Sidewalk Astronomers will have 15 to 20 telescopes set up on the observatory lawn from 2 to 9:45 p.m.

“Special solar-filtered telescopes allow the public to view the sun safely during the day,” says observatory astronomy lecturer Patrick So. “At night, the telescopes are turned to the moon, Jupiter, Saturn and other celestial delights.”

Relive those pre-TV days when families would sit outside their homes for hours and watch the stars. Habitual heavens-watchers take note: The observatory will close Jan. 6 for two years for renovation.

On Sunday, traditional Aztec dancers will perform a ceremonial winter solstice dance at MacArthur Park in Los Angeles. The event will run from 1 to 4 p.m. Dancers will dance to the four directions and four elements--earth, wind, water, fire. They’ll also create an altar and burn incense.

In China, winter solstice is called Dong Zhi or “the Arrival of Winter.” The Chinese observe the day with a huge feast, Ju Dong, which means “doing the winter.” You can “do the winter” by preparing a huge feast, or sneak the family out to your favorite Chinese restaurant for Ju Dong. We won’t tell.

The California Chumash tribe celebrated winter solstice for several days. Their cave paintings included many images of the sun that today are considered to be solstice references by historians. Although much of the art has been destroyed by vandals and time, an excellent example of it can be found north of Santa Barbara at the Painted Cave. The images are painted, not carved, onto the sandstone walls and are quite colorful. An iron gate blocks the entrance to the cave, but the paintings are easily seen with a flashlight.

Along with animal and human figures are circles with spokes and legs and spiky prongs, which seem to refer to the sun. According to John R. Johnson, curator of anthropology at the Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History, there is documentation of mid-19th century additions to the ancient paintings.

“We have proof that a couple of elderly Indians used to go up into the hills to the cave at solstice and make paintings,” Johnson says. “Apparently they were continuing some old tradition.” Strangely, Chumash images like these were never found in their villages, but rather in remote mountain areas thought to be used by local shamans.

Eventually, pagan winter solstice celebrations in Europe became eclipsed by Christian holidays. As astronomers learned more about the relationship between the sun and Earth, rituals encouraging the return of the sun were largely discarded.

Still, winter solstice is a good time to escape from the holiday hoopla, to warm your home with light and, in these rapidly changing times, to know that the sun will always return.

Star Party: Saturday, 2- 9:45 p.m., Griffith Park Observatory, 2800 E. Observatory Road, Los Angeles, (323) 664-1181.

Aztec Solstice Ceremony: Sunday, 1-4 p.m., Paseo MacArthur Park, Alvarado and 7th streets, Los Angeles, (213) 487-4300.

Painted Cave State Park: Painted Cave Road; take Highway 154 to San Marcos Pass exit. State park is about six miles from the exit, (805) 682-4711.