Published on May 27, 2025 2:11 AM GMT
I've been inspired by user: Raemon and his Winter Solstice celebrations.
But I'm also drawing inspiration from the Matariki holiday here in New Zealand.
I realized I was longing for meaningful community ritual, and I liked the sound of what he was doing. Growing up in areligious family, I always enjoyed the various traditions around Christmas, and missed them now that I've grown up, left the church and moved overseas. Living in New Zealand, I decided to design my own winter solstice gathering that combines elements from Rationalist Solstice traditions with our local Māori Matariki practices. These two naturally occur at the same time, when it's cold and dark in our winter, and people naturally huddle together inside on the long nights.
The Challenge: How do you create a meaningful secular ritual that serves genuine psychological and social needs without it feeling cringy or risking cultural appropriation?
My Approach: I've designed an evening that progresses through several acts from "the Golden Hour, through Sunset, Twilight, Dusk and into The Darkness before returning together to the Light at Dawn ( not actual dawn.. we’ll finish by 9pm.)
Key design principles:
- Astronomical grounding: June 20th winter solstice coincides with Matariki (Māori New Year), providing cultural context and stellar navigation themesGenuine conversation: Rather than toxic positivity, we explicitly confront mortality, loss of control, relationship failures, and existential risks (including AI alignment concerns)Community coordination practice: Multiple table reshuffling activities that require cooperation and create new social bondsEmbodied experience: Physical elements (bread breaking, candle rituals, lighting transitions) create lasting memories beyond just conversation
Structure: ~20 guests, 3-hour arc from golden hour through complete darkness to dawn. Includes remembrance of the dead, shared meals, and a culminating darkness meditation where we sit in silence confronting mortality before rekindling light together.
Note, I've used AI, primarily Claude.ai as sounding board , research assistant, and draft managment for much of this work, including this post. However I find I have to re-read, and re-write much of it to make sure things are presenting appropriately.
The format adapts Raemon's "Beyond the Reach of God" themes while incorporating personal reflections on fairness as human construct, AI alignment fears, and finding meaning through collective action despite living in an indifferent universe.
I’ve rented a space, and have approx. 20 guests coming for dinner, conversation and a bit of ritual. I wanted to share it here, in whatever form will be appreciated. And I’ll do a post write up for ideas and the possibility of continuing in years to come.
Here's the 1-page overview, for whatever it's worth:
Winter Solstice Gathering: Timeline and Acts
| Start Time | Act | Duration | Musical Transition | Theme | Activity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6:30 PM | 1. Opening: Gathering at the Edge of Light | 20 min | 30 min arrival playlist | welcome, anticipation | Handwashing, breaking bread, seating |
| 6:50 PM | 2. Golden Hour: Fleeting Beauty | 25 min | "We Shall Be Known" | Wonder, impermanence, memory | Remembering the dead ritual, App 1 |
| 7:15 PM | 3. Sunset: Setting Off Into the Night | 15 min | "Bring the Light", "Brighter Than Today" | courage, energy | Captain/First Mate selection, reshuffle, App 2 |
| 7:30 PM | 4. Twilight: The Weight of Winter | 30 min | "In the Bleak Midwinter" | Endurance, scarcity, quiet giving | Discussion on limitations, Dinner |
| 8:00 PM | 5. Nightfall: Full Attention, Shared Burdens | 15 min | "Both Hands" | Vulnerability, focus, relational care | Discussion on presence |
| 8:15 PM | 6. Darkest Night: The Circle | 30 min | "Sound of Silence" | Mortality, unity, sacred silence | Circle formation, darkness ritual |
| 8:45 PM | 7. Dawn: Return of the Light | 15 min | "The Cave" | Renewal, hope, emergence | Dessert, free seating |
-josh
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