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The winter solstice, a time when the night reigns supreme and daylight is at its shortest, has always been a moment of reflection, renewal, and celebration. For Wiccans, occultists, and nature enthusiasts, the solstice is more than just an astronomical event; it’s a profound experience filled with mystery and reverence for the cycles of nature. Cover photo by Andrew Tom on Unsplash.

As we gather to honor this sacred time, let’s delve into some exquisite poetry that captures the essence of the winter solstice, illuminating our spirits during the darkest nights. Post contains affiliate links.

1. “In the Bleak Midwinter” by Christina Rossetti

In the bleak mid-winter
   Frosty wind made moan,
Earth stood hard as iron,
   Water like a stone;
Snow had fallen, snow on snow,
   Snow on snow,
In the bleak mid-winter 
   Long ago.

Our God, Heaven cannot hold Him
   Nor earth sustain;
Heaven and earth shall flee away
   When He comes to reign:
In the bleak midwinter
   A stable-place sufficed
The Lord God Almighty
   Jesus Christ.

Enough for Him, whom cherubim
   Worship night and day,
A breastful of milk
   And a mangerful of hay;
Enough for Him, whom angels
   Fall down before,
The ox and ass and camel
   Which adore.

Angels and archangels
   May have gathered there,
Cherubim and seraphim
   Thronged the air;
But only His mother
   In her maiden bliss
Worshipped the Beloved
   With a kiss.

What can I give Him,
   Poor as I am?
If I were a shepherd
   I would bring a lamb,
If I were a Wise Man
   I would do my part,—
Yet what I can I give Him,
   Give my heart.

Rossetti’s poem paints a vivid picture of the stark beauty and harshness of winter. The repetition of “snow on snow” emphasizes the relentless cold, while the imagery of “frosty wind” and “earth stood hard as iron” evokes a sense of stillness and endurance. This poem reminds us of the raw power of nature and the quiet strength found in its embrace during the solstice.

Available on Amazon Audible by Christina Rosetti

2. “White-Eyes” by Mary Oliver

In winter
all the singing is in
the tops of the trees
where the wind-bird

with its white eyes
shoves and pushes
among the branches.
Like any of us

he wants to go to sleep,
but he's restless—
he has an idea,
and slowly it unfolds

from under his beating wings
as long as he stays awake.
But his big, round music, after all,
is too breathy to last.

So, it's over.
In the pine-crown
he makes his nest,
he's done all he can.

I don't know the name of this bird,
I only imagine his glittering beak
tucked in a white wing
while the clouds—

which he has summoned
from the north—
which he has taught
to be mild, and silent—

thicken, and begin to fall
into the world below
like stars, or the feathers
of some unimaginable bird

that loves us,
that is asleep now, and silent—
that has turned itself
into snow.

Oliver’s poem captures the delicate balance between rest and activity in nature. The “wind-bird” symbolizes the restless energy that eventually gives way to peaceful slumber, much like the winter solstice marking a pause before the renewal of light. The transformation of clouds into snowflakes, “like stars,” highlights the magic and beauty inherent in this time of year.

Available on Amazon, by Mary Oliver:

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3. “Winter Solstice” by Hilda Morley

A cold night crosses
our path
The world appears
very large, very
round now extending
far as the moon does
It is from
the moon this cold travels
It is
the light of the moon that causes
this night reflecting distance in its own
light so coldly
(from one side of
the earth to the other)
It is the length of this coldness
It is the long distance
between two points which are
not in a line now
not a
straightness (however
straight) but a curve only,
silver that is a rock reflecting
not metal
but a rock accepting
distance
(a scream in silence
where between the two
points what touches
is a curve around the world
(the dance unmoving).

Morley’s poem beautifully encapsulates the search for light amidst the darkness. The imagery of “lamps among the mountains” and “a light curling out of a wisp of smoke” evokes a sense of warmth and comfort. As we draw our shades and curtains, retreating into our homes, the focus shifts inward, reminding us that even in the deepest darkness, light persists. Books by Hilday Morley can be found here.

4. “Winter: My Secret” by Christina Rossetti

I tell my secret? No indeed, not I;
Perhaps some day, who knows?
But not today; it froze, and blows and snows,
And you’re too curious: fie!
You want to hear it? well:
Only, my secret’s mine, and I won’t tell.

Or, after all, perhaps there’s none:
Suppose there is no secret after all,
But only just my fun.
Today’s a nipping day, a biting day;
In which one wants a shawl,
A veil, a cloak, and other wraps:
I cannot ope to everyone who taps,
And let the draughts come whistling thro’ my hall;
Come bounding and surrounding me,
Come buffeting, astounding me,
Nipping and clipping thro’ my wraps and all.
I wear my mask for warmth: who ever shows
His nose to Russian snows
To be pecked at by every wind that blows?
You would not peck? I thank you for good will,
Believe, but leave the truth untested still.

Spring’s an expansive time: yet I don’t trust
March with its peck of dust,
Nor April with its rainbow-crowned brief showers,
Nor even May, whose flowers
One frost may wither thro’ the sunless hours.

Perhaps some languid summer day,
When drowsy birds sing less and less,
And golden fruit is ripening to excess,
If there’s not too much sun nor too much cloud,
And the warm wind is neither still nor loud,
Perhaps my secret I may say,
Or you may guess.

In this playful and enigmatic poem, Rossetti teases the reader with the notion of hidden truths. The winter solstice, with its cloak of darkness, is the perfect time for introspection and contemplation. Like the secret in Rossetti’s poem, the solstice invites us to look within and uncover the hidden mysteries of our own lives.

As we honor the winter solstice, these poems serve as a reminder of the profound beauty and significance of this time. They invite us to embrace the stillness, seek the light within, and celebrate the cyclical nature of our existence. Let these verses illuminate your path and warm your spirit during the darkest nights of the year.

Happy Winter Solstice to all! May your celebrations be filled with light, love, and magical moments.

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