The winter solstice is not a "Hallmark" holiday, nor does it necessarily fall on the same day each year. Winter solstice, which means "stopped sun," is an astronomical event, and this year it occurs in our latitude at 12:08 a.m., CST, on December 22.

At this time of the year, the sun's rays are strongest in the southern hemisphere, below the equator. The winter solstice marks the beginning of the sun's journey northward as well as the shortest day of the year for those in the northern latitudes. In the age-old battle between light and dark, the light has triumphed, and the days begin to get longer. To the ancients, the gradual return of the light that is the mark of the winter solstice was a time of celebration and affirmation, bringing the promise of spring and new life.

Many religions and traditions have claimed the winter solstice as their own, leaving the possibilities of its meaning open to interpretation. One of the most popular of all holiday rituals is the practice of decorating the Christmas tree with lights. This tradition has its roots in an ancient winter solstice practice begun by pagans who lived many centuries ago. However, this pagan ritual has been completely absorbed by the Christian tradition and is now much more closely associated with the birth of Jesus Christ than with the winter solstice.

The Jewish Chanukah celebration centers around lighting the menorah, a candelabra that holds eight candles, one for each of the eight nights that the oil burned at the rededication of the Temple of Jerusalem after its defilement by Antiochus of Syria, and a shamus ("head candle") that is used to light the other eight candles.

Kwanza (a.k.a. Kwanzaa, Quansa) is a weeklong celebration that starts on December 26 and features light (candles), gifts and the harvest foods of Africa. It is a recently developed cultural holiday celebrating African-American heritage, which has been an annual tradition since 1966. "Kwanza" is derived from the Swahili phrase "matunda ya kwanza," which means "the first fruits of the harvest." Each day focuses on one of the seven principles of Kwanza: unity, self-determination, collective work and responsibility, cooperative economics, purpose, creativity and faith.

In India, Diwali ("festival of lights") is celebrated for three days at the end of the Hindu month of Ashwayaja, usually in October or November, and is as popular as Christmas is for Christians. It symbolizes the victory of good over evil as the good king Rama overpowers the evil Ravana and is welcomed back to his kingdom by his people, who light up their homes with candles.

Ramadan is a celebration of spiritual light rather than literal light, and the date changes because Muslims use a lunar rather than a solar calendar. Ramadan lasts for one month and is observed by fasting from sunrise until sunset. During this time, Muslims practice inner reflection, devotion to God, self-control, purification, giving to charity and doing good deeds.

Ironically, while the cycle of the seasons and the diminished daylight draw us inward, our cultural institutions beckon us outward. Christmas is the busiest shopping season of the year. Parties, food, decorations and amped-up advertising bombard the senses. Once again, it is a matter of balance, which is the root of everything especially health. Being consciously aware of these two energy patterns can help keep them in balance and encourage healthy habits.

At the autumnal equinox, the energy began withdrawing back into the earth as the trees shed their leaves and all the green disappeared. Being a part of nature, our life force follows the same pattern. We draw back, become more reflective and a bit more internal. This is a deeply gestative , restorative time, and a time to let go of what is not wanted and a time to summon what is. The deep internal focus of powerful restorative poses connects us to the energy buried deep in the earth.

A favorite ritual of mine is to play "Here Comes the Sun" by the Beatles. You can create your own winter solstice ritual incorporating both darkness and light to represent the end of one cycle and mark the rising sun and beginning of a new cycle. Perhaps you will want to turn off the electric lights and use candles or a bonfire in the open air to ring in the solstice as in ancient times. Maybe you will choose to contribute some time to helping those having a hard winter or just spend some time meditating on how to bring more light into the world. Whatever you do to commemorate this magical time of year, remember that winter solstice is all about the hope for a bright and warm future.