The Hidden Sun: Why Perihelion Might Be the Real Reason for Holiday Buzz
The holidays: the lights, the gifts, the food, the buzz. If you’ve ever wondered why the end of the year feels like a collective sugar rush, maybe it’s not just the over-caffeinated baristas at Starbucks. Maybe—just maybe—there’s a cosmic reason for it. Enter perihelionism.
Before you roll your eyes, let me explain: perihelion is the moment when Earth is closest to the sun, and guess when it happens? Right around early January—just when the holiday chaos hits its peak. But what if the intensity of our holiday rituals, the merriment, the overconsumption, and the sheer energy we expend, are all our collective response to the intense energy from the sun being so close to us?
Perihelion: The Sun’s Cozy Embrace
Perihelion occurs when Earth is about 91.4 million miles away from the sun, which is roughly 3 million miles closer than when we reach aphelion—the farthest point, which happens around early July. This seemingly small difference has a huge impact on the intensity of the sun’s influence on our planet.
Even though it is the coldest time of the year in some areas and the sun may feel far away, it's actually closer to us than at any other time during the year. So, while we’re bundled up with hot cocoa and enjoying the glow of holiday lights, the universe is doing its dance, and we’re caught right in the middle of it. We may not feel the warmth physically, but spiritually and energetically, we are being affected by the sun’s closeness, which might explain why we feel a collective burst of energy during the season.
Esoteric & Exotic Traditions: The Sun at the Heart of It All
Before you dismiss this as a stretch, let’s look at how ancient cultures viewed the sun and celebrated its return during this powerful time of the year:
The Winter Solstice: Celebrated for over 5,000 years, the winter solstice marked the sun's return after the longest night. Ancient Egyptians celebrated the rebirth of the sun god Ra, and the Romans honored Sol Invictus, the "unconquered sun," beginning around December 21st. These rituals were deeply rooted in the idea that the sun was a life-giving force, and its return signaled hope, renewal, and abundance—concepts that still resonate in Christmas traditions today.
Yule: The Norse celebrated Yule for over 1,000 years, marking the triumph of light over darkness and the sun’s return. The Yule log, often burned during the festival, symbolized the sun’s strength, warding off the darkness and bringing forth light. The festival typically begins on December 21st and lasts through the winter solstice.
Saturnalia: The Romans celebrated Saturnalia starting around 217 BCE, which took place between December 17th and 23rd. It was a week-long festival in honor of Saturn, the god of agriculture and wealth. This festival was a time of revelry, gift-giving, and even role reversals. It’s easy to see how modern-day holiday practices, like exchanging gifts and gathering with loved ones, grew from these ancient customs.
Mayan Celebrations: The Mayan civilization’s advanced knowledge of the sun and its cycles led them to celebrate the winter solstice, which typically occurred around December 21st. The Mayans celebrated the sun’s reemergence after the darkest period of the year with ceremonies held in sacred temples. This tradition likely dates back to around 250 CE.
Hindu Festivals: The Hindus celebrate Makar Sankranti, marking the sun’s transition into Capricorn, which has been observed since 500 BCE. This festival is celebrated around January 14th, with food, festivals, and bonfires to honor the sun’s power.
The Zoroastrians and Yalda: The Zoroastrians in ancient Persia celebrated Yalda Night on the winter solstice, which has been observed for over 2,000 years. Yalda typically takes place on December 21st. This celebration marks the victory of light over darkness and the birth of the sun god Mithras, and it’s filled with food, family, and rituals to honor the sun’s return.
Ancient Chinese and the Dongzhi Festival: The Dongzhi Festival, celebrated for over 2,000 years in China, honors the sun's return during the winter solstice on December 21st or 22nd. The Chinese celebrated the increasing daylight with rituals designed to promote harmony, prosperity, and vitality.
Christianity, Christmas, and Sun Worship
While Christmas is celebrated as the birth of Jesus Christ, it’s widely known that Jesus was not actually born in December. The date for Christ's birth was chosen to align with existing sun-related celebrations, including Sol Invictus and the Roman Saturnalia, as well as the Winter Solstice. Many Christmas traditions—like decorating with lights, the Yule log, and the general emphasis on light—are rooted in these ancient solar rituals.
Early Christians embraced the timing of these celebrations, adapting them to honor Christ. The symbolic connection between light, renewal, and the sun’s return during the darkest days of the year is a theme that transcends both ancient and modern traditions, with the nativity story serving as a symbolic reflection of the sun's return and the triumph of light over darkness.
Why Is This Important?
So, here’s where we get real: What if our holiday traditions—our need for them—are really about managing this sun-powered, cosmic energy? I mean, no one wants to walk around feeling like a battery in the middle of a solar flare. From the overconsumption of food and gifts to the mandatory merriment we all feel pressured to participate in, maybe, just maybe, we’re all trying to stay afloat in the emotional current of perihelion.
What if, at a subconscious level, we’re honoring the sun’s energy during this time—lighting candles, exchanging gifts, gathering in community—by channeling all of that collective energy to align with the return of the sun? Maybe we’ve been doing it for so long that we’ve forgotten the deeper purpose.
A Shout-out to Joe
I first learned about this fascinating theory from my brilliant friend Joe Schuster over ten years ago. Since then, I’ve been observing human behavior through the lens of perihelion, and every year I become more of a believer. Joe has an insightful blog, The Perihelion Effect, where he dives deeper into this cosmic connection, and his work continues to inspire me to look at this time of year with fresh eyes.
A Call to Mindfulness
This holiday season, I encourage you to pause and reflect: Why do we celebrate the way we do? Why do we follow the same traditions year after year? Is it because we genuinely feel the spirit of the season, or are we just continuing traditions without thinking about why?
Mindfulness is about making conscious choices—especially when it comes to the traditions we follow. Why not add a little sun worship into your holiday celebrations? Light candles, take a moment to reflect on the transformative energy of the sun, and connect with the deeper meaning of this season. By honoring the sun, we can bring warmth, light, and intention into our lives during these darkest days of the year.
Stay Tuned!
If this piqued your interest, stay tuned for my upcoming blog, where I’ll explore sun-centered practices, the science behind the sun’s impact, and how to harness its energy to uplevel your well-being. Get ready for a fun and engaging read that combines spirituality, science, and practical tools to help you thrive all year long with the power of the sun!
Happy Sun Worshipping!
As you continue through the season, remember that honoring the sun is not just a celebration of light, but a recognition of its life-giving impact. Its energy nurtures and sustains all life on Earth. So, whether you’re lighting a candle or gathering with loved ones, take a moment to honor the powerful force that fuels us all. May the sun's warmth and light fill you with vitality, peace, and joy as we enter the new year.