For pagan nurses, is "Happy solstice" the right expression?

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Winter solstice is approaching. I am aware of this just yesterday while shopping at Trader Joe's. The store employees greeted me with "happy holidays". I responded with "thank you".

Since I am not a Christian and no longer want to deal with Christmas, I want to say "Happy solstice" in response. I do think this is appropriate since December is technically an astronomical phenomenon marking the day with the shortest period of daylight and the longest night of the year. It is simply a celebration of seasonal change and has nothing to do with the deity that I don't worship or believe in.

Having said that, I want to learn from pagan nurses here.

Do you say that to your patients and how do they respond?

Thank you

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I know this probably isn't what you want to hear, but I'd just stick to 'Happy Holidays' and move on.

You say that you feel alienated by people saying 'Happy Holidays' or 'Merry Christmas' since it's a belief set that you don't identify with. Your patients will probably feel equally as alienated by you saying 'Happy Solstice.' It doesn't really matter that it is a secular astronomical phenomenon; it aligns with an idea set that most people don't identify with, just like you don't identify with Chirsitanity or Christmas. I get that it would make you more comfortable, but is that worth the risk of making your patients uncomfortable? Especially when there are so many alternatives?

I like 'Happy Holidays' because it suggests that whoever you're saying it to can enjoy the season under whatever belief system they want; that's probably why the guy at Trader Jo's said it. It can encompass religious celebrations like Christmas and Hanukkah, but can also include secular ones like Thanksgiving and the solstice. Even if you don't want to say 'Happy Holidays,' there are so many other ways you can respond if somebody says it to you; "you too," "take care," "stay warm," "stay safe."

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Thank you very much

I am not uncomfortable with "happy holidays". Sorry for misunderstanding. Some clients said that to me when I brought their animals back to them for discharge. Normally I would respond with either "happy holidays" or "thank you". Over the years, when my spiritual path becomes close to paganism, I feel compelled to say "happy solstice" to certain people.

In my mind, if a Christian is entitled to say "merry Christmas" and a Jew with "happy hanukkah", people who share similar views as pagans should be able to express "happy solstice", shouldn't they?

In general, I always say "happy holidays" to the public. However, when someone is specific with "merry Christmas" with me, I don't want to use "happy holidays" since the expression is so vague and doesn't reflect what I actually celebrate.

What do you think? Should I reserve "happy solstice" to wish back to someone who wishes me "merry Christmas"?

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Specializes in Psych, Addictions, SOL (Student of Life).
Thank you very much

I am not uncomfortable with "happy holidays". Sorry for misunderstanding. Some clients said that to me when I brought their animals back to them for discharge. Normally I would respond with either "happy holidays" or "thank you". Over the years, when my spiritual path becomes close to paganism, I feel compelled to say "happy solstice" to certain people.

In my mind, if a Christian is entitled to say "merry Christmas" and a Jew with "happy hanukkah", people who share similar views as pagans should be able to express "happy solstice", shouldn't they?

In general, I always say "happy holidays" to the public. However, when someone is specific with "merry Christmas" with me, I don't want to use "happy holidays" since the expression is so vague and doesn't reflect what I actually celebrate.

What do you think? Should I reserve "happy solstice" to wish back to someone who wishes me "merry Christmas"?

It is perfectly appropriate to say "Happy Solstice" but be prepared to explain if people ask what it means. It's also ok to wish people happy Yuletide which covers several religious and pagan themes and might be better accepted.

The December holiday more rightly aligns with Druid traditions anyway. Roman's placed Christmas on that day since people were going to celebrate anyway and they just called it Christmas.

Celtic Ritual December | Celtic Sacred Calendar

Hppy

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Specializes in Hospice.

As a pagan, I simply return the same greeting I was given. I don't believe in poking my finger in anyone's eye just because I can.

To quote something that turned up on my Facebook page:

"From 1 November to 15 January there are approximately 29 holidays observed by 7 of the world's major religions.

And I don't think mine are the only ones that count.

Happy Holiday!"

ETA: To answer the OPs question, any expression of goodwill related to your own midwinter holiday is fine with me. "Pagan" is derived from the Latin "pagani" meaning country people ... people of the earth. At their heart, all pagan traditions - even the relatively recent neo-pagan ones like Wicca and Gardnerian witchcraft (for instance) - are rooted in actual physical places. Since no two places on earth are exactly alike, yet all are beautiful and powerful, pagans respect and even celebrate our differences. Our altar is, literally, the whole world.

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As a pagan, I simply return the same greeting I was given. I don't believe in poking my finger in anyone's eye just because I can.

To quote something that turned up on my Facebook page:

"From 1 November to 15 January there are approximately 29 holidays observed by 7 of the world's major religions.

And I don't think mine are the only ones that count.

Happy Holiday!"

ETA: To answer the OPs question, any expression of goodwill related to your own midwinter holiday is fine with me. "Pagan" is derived from the Latin "pagani" meaning country people ... people of the earth. At their heart, all pagan traditions - even the relatively recent neo-pagan ones like Wicca and Gardnerian witchcraft (for instance) - are rooted in actual physical places. Since no two places on earth are exactly alike, yet all are beautiful and powerful, pagans respect and even celebrate our differences. Our altar is, literally, the whole world.

I just learn a new lesson from you. I see myself as a transcendentalist. It is technically not paganism, but it's the other side of the same coin. I appreciate nature and try to live my life according to natural order.

Ever since I lived in America, I have rarely received "merry Christmas" wish. I understand that when people greet me with "happy holiday", they try not to be presumptuous and want to show their acceptance for whatever holiday I celebrate. Interestingly, I sometimes hear atheists wish "happy solstice" to each other. I guess this is because winter solstice marks the shortest day of the year for dwellers in the Northern Hemisphere, and the longest day of the year for those south of the equator. It seems to be a poetic phenomenon (both natural and spiritual).

I certainly don't want to poke my finger in anyone's eyes. I simply don't like people's assumption that I also celebrate christmas. "Happy holidays" is too politically correct for me to respond to "merry christmas" wish. "Happy solstice" seems to be a better alternative.

I really want to learn more about this. Can you recommend me a book on paganism that deals with winter solstice, summer solstice, spring equinox, fall equinox, and nature-related themes?

Thank you.

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Specializes in ICU/community health/school nursing.
A

"From 1 November to 15 January there are approximately 29 holidays observed by 7 of the world's major religions.

And I don't think mine are the only ones that count.

Happy Holiday!".

You beat me to it. Good job!

Have you ever heard the song "The Christians and the Pagans" by Dar Williams? It's beautiful.

"And the Christians and the pagans sat together at the table/finding faith and common ground the best that they were able..."

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I understand that when people greet me with "happy holiday", they try not to be presumptuous and want to show their acceptance for whatever holiday I celebrate.

I don't understand why you just can't return the favor. You seem to want everyone to respect your beliefs but don't feel particularly inclined to respect theirs.

"Happy holidays" is too politically correct for me to respond to "merry christmas" wish. "Happy solstice" seems to be a better alternative.

Why would it be a better alternative? If they don't celebrate Solstice then, as another poster said so well, you're just poking them in the eye. Appreciate the sentiment, wish them happy holidays and move on.

I really hope you have a wonderful Solstice but why sully it with all this angst over literally nothing. Enjoy your holiday and let others enjoy theirs.

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Specializes in MDS/ UR.

Season's greetings is my go to.

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I really hope you have a wonderful Solstice but why sully it with all this angst over literally nothing. Enjoy your holiday and let others enjoy theirs.

I admit with you that I tend to be sensitive when it comes to phrases such as "merry christmas" or "bless you". I used to immerse myself with those words. Lately, I have felt like I cannot keep pretending to believe in those words. I want to say what I mean without assumption.

I am usually not the person who initiates seasonal wish to anyone. I love to wish people with action rather than words. When people wish me "happy holiday", it is easy for me to reciprocate.

With "merry christmas", it is something else. The person who says that wants me to enjoy a holiday that celebrates the birth of their deity, whom I don't believe in. I feel like I am not honest with that person or with myself if I just accept that. Hence, I think "happy solstice" is a good response.

I hope that people who celebrate Christmas will NOT stop using "merry Christmas". I just hope that they don't expect people like myself to celebrate the holiday as well.

It is like phrase "bless you". People should keep using it as they wish. Personally, I would say "salud". If a Wiccan sneezes, I would say "blessed be".

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Specializes in Emergency Department.

Not sure why you are having problems, or perhaps I should say angst, about this. I am completely, utterly and totally atheist. What do I say when someone wishes me a Merry Christmas....?

I reply "Merry Christmas" and I usually add "Have a good New Year".

It doesn't matter, being nice to people matters. Life is hard enough for some people, why make it harder unnecessarily.

So a Merry Christmas to you and have a good New Year when it comes.

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Not sure why you are having problems, or perhaps I should say angst, about this. I am completely, utterly and totally atheist. What do I say when someone wishes me a Merry Christmas....?

I reply "Merry Christmas" and I usually add "Have a good New Year".

It doesn't matter, being nice to people matters. Life is hard enough for some people, why make it harder unnecessarily.

So a Merry Christmas to you and have a good New Year when it comes.

I agree with you. Being nice to people matters IF it doesn't come to assumption about the other person's spiritual view. Had I immigrated to a Bible belt, I may adopted the cultural greeting there since local people grew up in a Christian culture. That is all they know.

When I was a Buddhist, I definitely would not wish someone "Happy Bodhi Day". It came from the assumption that the other person also celebrated the day the Buddha experienced enlightenment.

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