SOPA Celebrates the Winter Solstice at Lithia Park

Winter image by Juncala from Pixabay

Southern Oregon Pachamama Alliance (SOPA) is hosting a Winter Solstice ceremony this Sunday, Dec. 22, from noon to 1 p.m. near the upper duck pond at Lithia Park in Ashland. Parking is available off Winburn Way, just north of the Granite Street intersection. Everyone is invited. 

Winter Solstice welcomes in the first day of winter, the shortest day and the longest night of the year. Some of the oldest celebrations by humans center around this momentous time of year. Many of the ancients saw this “return of the light” as a time for Mother Nature’s rebirth, or regeneration, and many modern day humans see it as a time of reconnecting with the Earth and with people and things dear to them. But it is also a time to “honor the dark.”  This year, participants are invited to reflect on this what it means to honor the dark and how they do that in their lives. Those attending will be invited to speak from their hearts or, they prefer, to simply be in silence in community with others.

This is the 13^th year SOPA has hosted Solstice and Equinox celebrations, which are led by Louise Paré. SOPA began hosting Solstice and Equinox ceremonies beginning with the Winter Solstice in 2012.