Midwinter / Longest Night of the year. One of the most ancient winter celebrations in the world.

Traditionally a time of rest, a holiday from sowing and reaping the land all year.

A time for family gatherings and story telling.

In the morning after the longest night the "sun is born again" because the sun starts to grow bigger again after this night. It is tradition to stay up all night and welcome the sun rise in the morning at this time. However, the sun also appears to be sagnant for 3 days. This has been observed by many ancient cultures for millennia. The sun seems  to "die in the consellation of the Southern Cross before resurrecting after 3 days."

Evergreen trees were decorated at Yuletide and gifts exchanged throughout pagan Europe since ancient times to symbolise renewal and hope during the dark winter months and to celebrate this turning point. This old tradition was later adopted and adapted by Christianity.

An old legend or mythological story that was shared by many Celtic and pagan traditions is of a battle between the Oak King and the Holly King. They have this battle for supremacy at this time. Some details of this story vary slightly between the different traditions. 

Newgrange in Ireland is a 5,200 old stone temple. The sun strikes an Altar point each year at the time of the Winter Solstice. Researchers & archaeologists still do not know how the building could have been constructed but it reflects the importance & significance of the wheel of the year key points to communities since ancient times.