I was raised in quite a Christian household so whilst my parents were aware that trees, mistletoe, and other traditions had pagan origins, actually marking the shortest day would not have been permitted. Now, I have several friends who follow Wicca and traditional practices and so in my living room there's a nativity scene but with hazelnuts and a pine cone, and I'm also making St Lucia buns, which are yet another supposedly Christian tradition that's appropriated from older mythical origins in the Nordic lands. On the summer solstice I did a 100 mile ride, whereas today it was a mere 3 to the shops and back, but it certainly feels good to think about rebirth and the promise of light from now on.
Love you, too
