Christmas and the Summer Solstice
A Meaningful Alternative to the Traditional Christmas Season
Not everyone feels connected to the traditional Christmas story. For some, the season can feel commercial, overwhelming, or simply mismatched with personal beliefs or emotional needs. Yet this time of year has always carried significance well beyond tinsel, gifts, and nativity scenes.
Across cultures and history, the week surrounding 21–25 December is celebrated in some form on every inhabited continent. Long before modern traditions emerged, this period marked an astronomical and mythological turning point. In the Southern Hemisphere, it aligns with the Summer Solstice—the moment when the sun reaches its highest point in the sky and daylight lasts the longest.
This natural event offers a powerful alternative way to experience the season: one grounded in nature, reflection, and renewal.
1. The Astronomical Moment: The Longest Day of the Year
Around 21–22 December, the sun reaches its peak position over the Tropic of Capricorn. For those of us in the south, this means:
The longest day of the year, with the shortest midday shadow.
A night sky rich with meaning: Orion appears upside-down, the Southern Cross stands high, and the core of the Milky Way passes almost directly overhead.
Even without any myth or tradition, the Summer Solstice is a natural milestone. It signals fullness, energy, and a moment when the world is at its brightest.
2. The Mythic and Psychological Meaning: A Spotlight for Renewal
Many cultures treat the solstice as a symbolic “spotlight.” It highlights whatever we’ve been avoiding—stress, unresolved issues, habits we’ve outgrown—and invites us to face them honestly before a new cycle begins.
In the Noongar calendar of south-west Western Australia, this is the Birak season: the first summer. It’s known for controlled burns, where old growth is cleared so new life can emerge. The land renews itself through intentional release.
Psychologically, this mirrors the process of letting go of outdated parts of ourselves—old roles, behaviours, or identities that no longer serve us. It is a time for shedding, clearing, and making space for growth.
3. Simple Rituals for a Solstice-Inspired Celebration
If traditional Christmas doesn’t feel right for you, you can honour the season in ways that align with nature and wellbeing. Here are gentle, meaningful practices that lean into the Solstice theme:
Meet the dawn
Start the day by heading to the water. Watching sunrise can support a “reset” of the body’s core temperature and regulate the nervous system.Take a sunrise ocean plunge
Entering the ocean at first light—alone or with friends—offers a symbolic and physical fresh start. The cool shock can lift mood, reduce stress, and mark the transition into a new season.Bring Australian nature indoors
Place fresh eucalyptus, paperbark, or Christmas bush branches around your home. These plants thrive in heat and represent resilience and vitality.Sing with others
Whether it’s a favourite song or a carol, singing in a group helps synchronise breathing, regulate heart rate, and releases oxytocin—a natural antidepressant.
These actions are small, but they tap into ancient rhythms that have supported human wellbeing for thousands of years.
4. The Modern Psychological Echo: A Built-In Checkpoint
Even if we don’t consciously acknowledge the Solstice, the psyche often responds to seasonal transitions. This time of year naturally encourages reflection.
Use the Solstice as a personal checkpoint:
Acknowledge what has ended or changed—jobs, relationships, identities, or phases of life.
Name what you want to strengthen—a boundary, a habit, or a value.
Practice generosity and connection—sharing resources and staying connected even when withdrawing feels easier.
These are not resolutions. They are gestures of grounding, honesty, and intentional living.
5. The Core Message: Carry the Light Forward
The Summer Solstice teaches a simple universal principle:
Notice the turning point, honour it, and let it guide your next steps.
From a psychological perspective, this is a powerful form of emotional regulation:
Notice what the season brings up.
Name the feelings or expectations that emerge.
Create a small ritual that acknowledges the shift and supports renewal.
When we do this, we align ourselves with an older, steadier rhythm—one that is not about obligation or performance, but about meaning and restoration.
Whether this year has brought abundance or challenge, the Solstice reminds us that light continues, and we have agency in how we carry it into the next chapter.
As the year draws to a close, remember that self-care isn’t selfish—it’s vital for mental and emotional health. Take time to rest, reflect on your growth, and connect with loved ones. If the holidays and festive season feel overwhelming or if you need urgent support :
Crisis support is available 24/7: Lifeline 13 11 14 | Beyond Blue 1300 224 636 | Suicide Call Back Service 1300 659 467
Seeking help during a difficult time isn't a sign of weakness—it's an act of self-care, courage and strength.
Suggested Resources:
Books
1. “The Art of Stopping Time” by Pedram Shojai - Offers mindfulness-based strategies to slow down, appreciate the present, and reduce holiday-season rush.
2. “Gratitude” by Oliver Sacks - Explores how reflecting on life’s gifts—especially during transitions—can instil hope and resilience.
Podcasts
1. “The Happiness Lab” – Dr. Laurie Santos - Investigates evidence-based approaches to nurturing well-being and coping with stress.
2. Ten Percent Happier” – Dan Harris - Focuses on mindfulness, meditation, and realistic ways to handle everyday challenges.
YouTube Clips
1. “How to Practice Emotional First Aid” by Guy Winch - A TED Talk on simple methods to manage emotional distress and prevent burnout.
2. “Holiday Stress Tips” by Psych2Go - Animated explanations of psychological concepts, including quick strategies for seasonal stress management.
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References
Australian Bureau of Meteorology. (n.d.). The Solstices and the Equinoxes. Retrieved from https://bom.gov.au
Geoscience Australia. (n.d.). The Sun and the Seasons. Retrieved from https://www.ga.gov.au
Ridpath, I. (2012). Astronomy (4th ed.). Oxford University Press.
South West Aboriginal Land and Sea Council. (n.d.). Noongar Six Seasons. Retrieved from https://www.noongarculture.org.au
Bureau of Meteorology. (n.d.). Indigenous Weather Knowledge: Noongar. Retrieved from https://www.bom.gov.au/iwk/
Eliade, M. (1963). Myth and Reality. Harper & Row.
Frazer, J. G. (1922). The Golden Bough. Macmillan.
Matthews, J. (1996). The Winter Solstice: The Sacred Traditions of Christmas. Quest Books.
Hutton, R. (1996). The Stations of the Sun: A History of the Ritual Year in Britain. Oxford University Press.
Jung, C. G. (1969). The Archetypes and the Collective Unconscious. Princeton University Press.
Van Gennep, A. (1960). The Rites of Passage. University of Chicago Press.
Turner, V. (1969). The Ritual Process: Structure and Anti-Structure. Aldine Publishing.
Porges, S. (2011). The Polyvagal Theory: Neurophysiological Foundations of Emotions, Attachment, Communication, and Self-Regulation. W. W. Norton.
Frankl, V. (1959). Man’s Search for Meaning. Beacon Press.
Rosenthal, N. E. (2006). Winter Blues: Everything You Need to Know to Beat Seasonal Affective Disorder. Guilford Press.
Baumeister, R. F., & Vohs, K. D. (2002). The Pursuit of Meaning, Purpose, and Value. Handbook of Positive Psychology, Oxford University Press.
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Although all content is written by qualified mental-health professionals and draws upon contemporary psychological research and recognised frameworks (e.g., APS Code of Ethics, 2014; AHPRA Guidelines for Advertising Regulated Health Services, 2020), the material may not apply to every person or circumstance. Psychological needs are highly individual, and effective care requires a personalised clinical assessment. Reading these posts does not create a therapeutic relationship with Ashcliffe Psychology or any of its clinicians. In an emergency, call 000 or attend your nearest emergency department. If you are experiencing distress, concerned about your mental health, or require support, please contact a registered health professional. Ashcliffe Psychology makes no warranty regarding the accuracy, completeness, or applicability of the content at any point in time. Blog posts may refer to sensitive topics and may be updated or removed as needed to ensure compliance with professional and regulatory standards.
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