Holiday Fat
Ritual and celebration at solstice time has been the norm around the world long before the commercial “holiday season” was recognized. Many cultures, including Pagan, Norse, German, Native American and Japanese, have solstice-related symbols and myths in common with our own, such as the decorating of an evergreen tree, the use of lights to compensate for the absence of sun or the telling of stories about rebirth when the world is dead.
Another common tradition at the beginning of winter is the act of getting together for a feast. It’s a time when the harvest is in and the hunt is done. Everybody is snuggled into cozy corners and in need of social contact. And of course, we need to inflate some of our empty fat cells in order to help keep the sharp teeth of winter at bay.