Winter Solstice

OK so it's about a week late, but shhhh don't tell Boss that. Having mixed feelings about marking the time. I would like to point out that I am *NOT* marking this as part of my Islamic identity and it wasn't an Islamic event - it was educational pure and simple and my desire to bring some kind of rhythm into our lives. So much of the city-dweller's life is spent artificially - we are not really in tune with ourselves or our world. We barely recognise the seasons other than moan about how it impacts on our comfort-zone; we certainly do not get affected by them with our continuous flow of food. We never see the stars or moon or even sunsets all that often - too many things obscurring our vision so it was nice and refreshing to mark a natural occurence.

So we made paper lanterns, wrote a song, painted a "sun" colour, had a snack of hot chocolate and muffins, lit candles and said "good night" to the sun who was having the longest night sleep round about now. Boss and Jaws sat transfixed at the candle light - the calmest I have seen them - and then it was very nicely rounded off by offering maghrib. We as Muslims should be more aware of the seasons and the timings of the sun than most given that prayer times are set by it and as Khaliphas we are supposed to be caretakers of this earth (a bit difficult if you know nothing about it or how it works).

But I felt such a pagan. And that's no offence to pagans before anyone takes a potshot. It sits uncomfortably on my shoulders. I don't know why. Maybe I'm blanching at all the pagan symbolism and childhood memories, espcially when I used to live in Germany and there are big significances with candles and yuletide rituals. I know we don't have to erase our cultural heritage upon entering Islam so why do so many people make us feel that way? I know that many Islamic cultures have winter solstice rituals - Iranians, Iraqis, Pakistanis.

On the whole I think it was a good thing. It was a bit short notice and on-the-hoof, the whole point of occasions is the building up to them and getting excited about them, but still had an impact none-the-less.

DH giving me strange looks like "well are we going to celebrate Easter and turn into butt-naked tree worshippers next or what", and I know 18 years down the line if they say/do anything unIslamic then this moment and my half-baked ideas are going to get it in the neck, but I think there is a difference between inculcating religious beliefs and merely instilling rhythm in one's life. Feedback on this topic greatly appreciated.


Our song (to the tune of Twinkle Twinkle Little Star), input by Boss, tweaked by me:

Goodnight, goodnight Winter Sun
Your longest sleep the whole year long;

Wake up soon and shine your rays,
Give us longer, warmer days;

Goodnight, goodnight Winter Sun
Sleep tonight your longest one.

The table

The lanterns

Orangey-yellow like the sun


This theme leads neatly onto resurrection, though.. Hajj theme next.