A Community Winter Solstice Ritual

The Winter Spiral Garden is a ritual to honor a time when, traditionally, light, warmth and food would be scarce. One version of the tradition was born in Bavaria long ago. It began with farmers who would bring moss and twigs into their homes to create a garden on a table, which was lit with candles in apples. The ritual is a reminder to cherish all we have and to be grateful for all that has been provided. It is also a time to become aware of being in balance with nature; trusting the dark time of the year is a part of the cycle of nature. In the mountains, where we live, the winter is dark and long. This spiral walk ritual sets the tone for a deep, reflective winter. As we walk, we kindle our own inner light and fortify the soul to be guided inward for many cold nights.

Setting Up The Winter Garden Spiral:

You can use branches, pine boughs or any plant materials to create a spiral indoors. If working outdoor you can use rocks, stumps, wood or plant materials as well. Make sure the path is wide enough for a child to easily walk through with the help of an adult. You can adorn the spiral with gnomes, fairies or other meaningful items. I like use dried oranges, rose hips and sage bundles to adorn the spiral and also offer them into a Yuletide Fire.

Children’s Tip: Place large gold stars, spaced inside the spiral as place holders for where each candle will go as everyone takes their turn walking the spiral. This helps keep candles from being placed in the walk way and helps guide children to where exactly their candle should go.

Walking The Winter Garden Spiral:

The hardest task here is to evoke a tone of quit, contemplation when young children are involved. I let my children explore the spiral and practice many times so they are well prepared when we include a bigger group.

Ahead of time, prepare candles wedged in apples. Have them lit and easily accessible for each person to pick-up before they walk the spiral.

Start with everyone in a big circle around the spiral. This is a great time to join in singing or have live music. One by one, each person picks up a candle, walks to the center of the spiral, places their candle and walks back through the spiral out. The first person, places their candle in the center and each consecutive person spaces theirs out along the spiral so that at the end there is a spiral of light candles mirroring the plant or stone spiral. Young children should be guided through the whole process. If celebrating this ritual outdoor, consider led lights if wildfires are a concern.