Winter Solstice

“This is the solstice, the still point
Of the sun, its cusp and midnight,
The year’s threshold
And unlocking, where the past
Lets go of and becomes the future;
The place of caught breath, the door
Of a vanished house left ajar.”
Margaret Atwood

Today marks the Winter Solstice in the Northern Hemisphere: the longest night or shortest day, depending on how you look at it. The Solstice is the start of astronomical Winter, a time of rest and renewal, growth and reflection. And this evening, if you look carefully enough, you might just see a Christmas star: Jupiter and Saturn align tonight to form a “celestial dome”, their light merging into one bright beacon of hope. Savour the quiet magic of midwinter – the nights are drawing out again.

There’s a reason that seasonal celebrations of the past revolve around fire and feasting. 21st December also marks the start of Yule festivities. Embrace home and hearth to get back to the true meaning of the Winter Solstice. Cook, nourish, indulge without guilt. Find joy in small pleasures – all the more important at this uncertain time – like setting the table, even if it’s just for yourself. I dressed my Christmas table in shades of green, white and gold: an ode to nature’s evergreen palette accompanied with foraged ivy and forced paper whites (thank you for planting them for me, Dad) that bloomed just in time for Christmas. Merry Midwinter!

Beeswax candles in green from Wax Atelier and Fairholme Studio; gold candles from Norden; naturally dyed silk ribbons from the Natural Dyeworks; gingham napkins from Angela Mugnai; vintage candle holders from Pops and Piaf (including one very kindly gifted by Amy); bud vases and fairy lights from The White Company; vintage crockery atop Denby plates (previous PR product); vintage mismatched cutlery; ’50s glassware from BAM Glasgow. 

Step by step how to make the salt dough star garland in this post!