The exact day of the Winter Solstice ushers in what I think of as the Winter Solstice Season — a ten day period when, in the northern hemisphere, the sun barely moves from it’s most southerly position in the sky. The days are very short and the nights are long, long, long.
At this time of year I embrace the worldview of my Celtic ancestors who relished the darkness in a way that is foreign to us today. Every day began at dusk not dawn. The new year began on October 31, as the cold set in and the world turned toward the dark. The harvest was in, thanks were given, and nature was moving into its period of death. I find an inherent wisdom in this counting of time.
In this moment, my connection to trees feels especially profound. I find such beauty in the winter trees, naked of their green and golden finery, etching stark lines in the sky. As we drew near to the solstice, I felt compelled to create a new painting that expresses my love for winter trees and the Winter Solstice.
On the Winter Solstice, we celebrate the symbolic rebirth of the sun and the return of light. This moment, a time of dormant possibility and quiet germination, reminds us of life’s cyclical nature. It is a powerful opportunity for renewal, inviting us to cultivate stillness and look inward for answers. In this reflective space, we discover the strength to release the old and the inspiration to create the new. In the ancient world, Goddess was honored during this time, her presence assuring the people that life was being nurtured in the dark womb of Mother Earth. She provided the strength to endure the long, cold months, with faith that rebirth would come in spring.
I always remember and honor the Cailleach, the embodiment of winter in the British Isles long before the Celts arrived. Her name translates as “the Veiled One,” which perfectly describes her reign over the quiet, dark of winter, the hidden worlds, and our dreams and inner realities.
As I began to work on my painting, it took an unexpected direction. I found myself drawn to the stylized Celtic Tree of Life symbol.
The Celtic people held trees in deep reverence, seeing them as wise and mystical beings. Their roots anchored firmly in Earth, their trunks stood as a presence in the human realm, and their branches reached toward the heavens. The Tree of Life symbolizes a pathway for the human soul to traverse between the material world and the spiritual realm, eternally connecting us to both Mother Earth and the vast infinity of the heavens. Celtic spiritual leaders, the Druids, were closely tied to trees and forests, often conducting rituals and celebrations beneath their sheltering branches. To the Celts, trees embodied life, wisdom, and the sacred essence of nature.
Trees play an important part in celebrations of this season of darkness. Just as the Winter Solstice reminds us of the cyclical nature of the seasons, so too does the Tree of Life. Long-lived trees serve as a tangible representation of the ever-changing rhythms of the year: leaves fall in autumn, branches stand bare in winter, tender greenery emerges in spring, and summer brings the full splendor of leaves, nuts, and fruits.
When the night is longest and the dark is deepest, the stars and moon shine even more brightly through the branches of the Tree of Life. Both the Winter Solstice and the Tree of Life symbolize our soul’s journey of self-discovery and our quest for a deeper understanding of ourselves and the world around us. At this time, our hearts are open to the dark mystery of the cosmos, the interconnectedness of all beings, and the unity from which we all arise.
May this Winter Solstice season bring you moments of peace and stillness. May it inspire you to nurture your dreams, embrace your inner strength, and prepare for the challenges ahead as you continue the work of transforming our world into a more loving and balanced place.
View and/or purchase Judith’s work — originals, prints and more— on her website at JudithShaw Art
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