Winter Solstice
Originally posted to SubscribeStar Dec '23 Accidentally posted early =\ but oh well, might as well make an official announcement that I'm Trying to post weekly art to my SS that will not be posted elsewhere (in theory, except for when I'm hitting Post instead of Schedule) focused on my Gilliflower world building. I'm still a bit ambivalent on winter solstice celebrations, but I DO know bathing and rest is important, especially for women The winter solstice is the first big celebration after the official new year, for many people it heralds the new year proper, the shortening of the nights and the lengthening of the days. The Kathden who have them are through their seasons and those who decided to have children this year will be starting to show. As such for the Kathden this is a time of new beginnings with a strong focus on women and femininity. As for Ki their children are now a few months old and going into their first full year. For them it's a celebration of entering childhood and preparing their families for the winter. The ki do not have a long tradition of ritual bathing but as Kathden often partake in social baths it has been adopted as part of a cleanse for the new year for the Ki. Baths may be an hours long affair, starting at the head and ending at the feet, involving herbal soaks, scents, fur oils etc... but many women take this as an opportunity to bathe alone simply and meditate. There is no correct way to cleanse and for some families it is a time to get together and honour the women in their family. In the time after the event where power and heat may be intermittent or non-existent for some, the heated public baths are a seasonal treat to be enjoyed exuberantly before the harsher days of January thru March. For those lucky enough to have access to natural hot springs those will be in use all winter (more so than usual) but there is often a big party thrown for the solstice. Pre-event saunas came over from it's native countries and have caught on post-event as a social way to get warm and clean without using fuel in multiple places. The day before and after the solstice (at least) are taken off work for rest and many places shut entirely from then and thru the entire following week. For [chelsea’s religion] they tend to either keep going or take the time off because where-ever they’re working is closed. They Might join in in secular celebrations that are just an excuse to have a party, that depends entirely on how traditional they are. Generally however they do not as they do not participate in any sun worship.
Posted using PostyBirb