Howl at the moon

Are you tired of Christmas, the winter celebration hijacked by the cult of the zombie Jezuz? Of course you are but the real reason for the season, the winter solstice, occurs on Sunday, Dec 21 at 12:04 UTC (7:04am ET).

If you're looking for an alternate way to celebrate the "rebirth of the sun", here (from wikipedia) is a sampling of other winter customs.

Mummer's Day (Celtic, Cornish), or "Darkie Day" as it is sometimes known, is an ancient Cornish midwinter celebration that occurs every year on December 26 and New Year's Day in Padstow, Cornwall. It was originally part of the 'pagan' heritage of midwinter celebrations that were regularly celebrated all over Cornwall where people would dance and disguise themselves by blackening up their faces or wearing masks.

Alban Arthan (Neodruidic): In England, during the 18th century, there was a revival of interest in Druids. Today, amongst Neo-druids, Alban Arthan is celebrated on the winter solstice with a ritualistic festival, and gift giving to the needy.

Soyal (Zuni and Hopi of North America): Soyalangwul is the winter solstice ceremony of the Zuni and the Hopitu Shinumu, "The Peaceful Ones," also known as the Hopi Indians. It is held on December 21, the shortest day of the year. The main purpose of the ritual is to ceremonially bring the sun back from its long winter slumber. It also marks the beginning of another cycle of the Wheel of the Year, and is a time for purification.

Yule, Jul, Jól, Joul, Joulu, Jõulud, Géol, Geul (Viking Age, Northern Europe, and Germanic cultures): Originally the name Giuli signified a 60 day tide beginning at the lunar midwinter of the late Scandinavian Norse and Germanic tribes. The arrival of Juletid thus came to refer to the midwinter celebrations. By the late Viking Age, the Yule celebrations came to specify a great solstitial Midwinter festival that amalgamated the traditions of various midwinter celebrations across Europe.

*********

I will, as is the tradition of my people, listen to Paul Winter's music on NPR on solstice eve, get liquored up, and then, sometime after midnight, go outside and howl at the moon. The local dogs generally get in the spirit and join in too.