As the crisp, cold air settles in and the days grow shorter, winter peacefully and unsettlingly blankets the world. In Greek mythology, winter symbolizes the story of Persephone’s descent into the underworld, bringing the coldness and darkness of winter. This myth reflects the dreadful moments of winter, yet it also hints at the renewal and rebirth that the season promises. Beyond this myth, winter brings other beauties and drawbacks. Nature may experience changes whether in animal behavior or weather changes. Across the globe, people will begin to see a shift in their emotions. From Greek Mythology to seasonal celebrations, winter brings us a time of both dreadful and wonderful moments. 

Greek Mythology

In ancient times, before science explained the cycle of seasons, myths sought to capture the essence of nature’s changes. For example, one such story is that of Demeter and Persephone, which encapsulates the duality of winter’s beauty and hardship. The story revolves around Demeter, the Goddess of Harvest, and her beloved daughter, Persephone. On one particular fateful morning, the Goddess asked the sea nymphs to watch over her Persephone, as Demeter would be busy all day. The sea nymphs had risen from the water and made Persephone a beautiful necklace curated from shells, and the daughter was insistent on repaying them with something found on land. She pondered for a moment, before deciding that she would make each of the nymphs a flower wreath. 

And so she took off to a nearby garden, where she was met with the most exquisite flowers. Unable to resist the sight, Persephone bent down, prepared to pluck them out of the ground--some to take home to Demeter's garden, some to make the wreaths. However, as she pulled, she realized how the Earth underneath was unraveling the more she pulled. At last, she triumphantly held up the stem in her hands, however, she was left gaping in astonishment as it spread wider and wider. 

The gaping hole stretched endlessly into darkness, its edges crumbling with an ominous rumble. Nothing could have prepared Persephone for what was to come. Out of the impossibly extensive hole came four stable horses with a golden chariot whirling at their heels. Everything about the sight was eerie. The horses had smoke flaring out of their nostrils.

Inside the chariot was a man with a diamond crown atop his head. He was blinking rapidly as if he was unaccustomed to being in such intense sunshine. Quickly getting over his apparent distaste, he urged Persephone to hop in. Rightfully suspicious and a bit horrified, the child called out to her mother. Unfortunately, Demeter was too far away and occupied with duties to hear her child’s cries. The mysterious man carried Persephone and directed the horses back into the dark cavern. 

Dismayed, Persephone looked frightfully at the man. In an attempt to calm her down, he introduced himself while flashing as charming a smile as he knew how to put on. He told her his name was Hades, the God and King of the Underworld. It was revealed that he had grown quite fond of Persephone and was determined to make her his queen. 

Back up on Earth, it was said that out of all the shrieks that Persephone let out, it was only the last and final one that reached Demeter’s ears. After hearing her child’s cry, the Goddess abruptly stopped in her tracks and abandoned the field in which she was working. She rushed back to the sea nymphs, demanding an answer. The oblivious sea nymphs were only able to tell her how Persephone had told them to wait for her as she went to gather some flowers. 

Becoming more anxious, Mother Demeter began to inquire throughout the neighborhood. After asking in vain, Demeter finally realized who would be able to tell her what has become of her Persephone: Apollo, the God of the Sun. He told her that he saw Hades carrying her daughter away to the underworld. This new information only served to render her hopeless, for not even Apollo wanted to accompany her to the underworld. 

In her despair, she had abandoned her duties entirely. Without the help from the Goddess of the Harvest, the Earth began to wilt, the crops became dry as sand. The situation had become so dire that Hermes (the winged messenger of Zeus) was tasked by Zeus to convince Hades to give the child back.

Having no other choice, Hades reluctantly gave Persephone up, and persuaded her to eat six pomegranate seeds. Little did she know that for each seed she ate, she would have to spend one month in King Hades’ palace. Those six months represented fall and winter for the Greeks, where the Earth would wilt and Demeter would wait for her beloved daughter to return. This unique tale not only portrays motherhood but was also the Greek’s explanation for the changing of seasons before science revealed otherwise. 

Nature

Weather

Just as the myth of Persephone, Demeter, and Hades showcases the season change of autumn to winter, the weather can also signify a change. Temperatures begin to drop, the days start to grow shorter, the nights grow longer, and snow and ice blanket the ground in the later months of winter. This transforms the environment into a winter wonderland. 

As winter takes hold, a temperature drop becomes evident. A temperature drop is the difference in temperature between the entry air temperature and cold air temperature. For regions located at high latitudes, temperatures may drop to those on the colder side. So, why do temperature drops occur? In the winter, the northern hemisphere is tilted away from the Sun resulting in less direct sunshine. Due to this, less energy is absorbed by the surface leading to lower temperatures. 

The tilting of the earth also leads to our next change; shorter days and longer nights! Just as the tilt of the Earth affects temperature drop, it also impacts the hours of sunlight we experience daily. Regions further away from the equator will experience shorter hours of daylight and longer stretches of darkness. This reduction in daylight is one of the signs that winter has arrived. 

Another sign of the arrival of winter is snow and ice. In previous years, snow and ice were one of nature’s signals that winter has officially arrived. Why does snow and ice usually form in the winter? The key points about snow formation are low temperatures, moisture in the air, and ice crystal formations. In order for snow to form, the air temperature needs to be below freezing (0oC or 32oF). However, cold temperatures are not the only factor that needs to be considered. This is because the atmosphere also needs to have an adequate amount of moisture. These two factors cause water vapor to form in the clouds, and when it condenses, the small ice crystals will collide and form snowflakes! But why is snow and ice disappearing? In recent years, global warming has increased. As a result, snow and ice are less likely to occur.

Animals 

The days have grown shorter, and weather changes have impacted both humans and animals. Thankfully, humans have found ways to stay warm and survive this extreme weather such as dressing in layers or using heat sources. But what about animals? While animals are unable to seek these same methods of keeping warm and thriving in winter, they have found ways to adapt. So what are ways animals can adapt? 

Firstly, migration: the movement of a group of animals from one location to another to avoid the environment they are accustomed to. When do animals know when to migrate? Some factors may include the length of daylight, availability of food, and supply of energy in order to stay warm. Migrations, though being a good option, may place stress on animals due to the need to travel and compete for resources.

Next, hibernation: long-term inactivity or when an animal’s body slows down to conserve energy. The slowing of body function may be classified as a decrease in body temperature or reduced breathing. An animal will curl up into a tight ball to keep warm. There are different types of hibernations: torpor (less active, has a reduced metabolic rate, and body temperature), brumation (inactivity in reptiles and amphibians), diapause (interference with an insect’s development), and aestivation (occurs more in the summer to prevent an animal from drying out).

Lastly, resistance: tolerating the cold. Animals may grow thick coats of fur/hair due to the colder climates, change their behavior to increase their food intake to build up fat reserves or change their appearance to camouflage with their environment.

Seasonal Depression

The beautiful yet harsh aspects that accompany winter not only change weather and animal behavior, but it also leads to a shift in emotions. Many experience a type of depression known as Seasonal Affective Disorder (AKA Seasonal Depression or SAD) during the winter months. 

It is crucial to understand that Seasonal Depression differs from its mild version known as “Winter Blues.” While both have symptoms that involve feeling down, Seasonal Depression affects a person's day-to-day life. But what is the underlying cause behind this disorder, and what can we do to decrease the toll it has on one’s life?

SAD is said to be caused by the lack of sunlight and the shorter days, leading to a chemical change in the brain. Sunlight has many benefits where it increases the production of serotonin, a vital neurotransmitter that helps regulate our moods.  It also reduces stress levels, which leads to more clarity and focus to face daily challenges. Due to the shorter days during the winter months, it limits the amount of direct sunlight that we get exposed to.This greatly impacts the amount of melatonin, the sleep hormone, that gets produced within our bodies, leading people to feel more tired  during winter. Other common symptoms of SAD include  chronic feelings of sadness, hopelessness, and anxiety. Seasonal Depression can also cause disruptive sleep patterns (usually oversleeping), trouble concentrating, etc. 

Although we cannot cure SAD, there are a multitude of ways we can combat and treat it so that it doesn’t negatively affect our lives. One method psychologists recommend is to spend more time outdoors. Since the days are shorter, spending more time outside will help increase the amount of sunlight that we absorb to help  combat Seasonal Depression. Of course, some alternatives can be provided for times when sunlight exposure is limited. It is important to note that a professional diagnosis and advice should be followed to see which treatment is most appropriate.

According to the American Psychiatric Association, SAD affects about 5% of adults in the US. By raising awareness for Seasonal Depression we can begin to take actionable steps to regulate the symptoms to make our winters less dreary. 

Seasonal Celebrations

Holidays 

Many changes can be seen in winter, but one thing stays the same. Holidays! Around the world, many holidays are celebrated. Some include Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, Diwali, and New Year’s.

Christmas is an annual holiday celebrated on December 25th. For some, its purpose is to commemorate the birth of Jesus Christ. Christmas is considered a time of joy, giving, and family gatherings for many around the world. So what do people do on Christmas? The most common activities are attending church services, gift-giving, decorating homes, family meals, and festive music. Overall, Christmas is a blend of religious observation and festive celebration. 

Hanukkah is an eight-day Jewish holiday. Its main purpose is to commemorate the rededication of the Second Temple of Jerusalem from the Syrian Greeks and also mark the religious freedom of the Jewish people over religious oppression. In the 2nd century B.C.E., a miracle occurred for the Jews. A small amount of oil, originally supposed to only last a day, had burned for eight days. Ever since then, a candle will be lit each of the eight days. The key aspects of Hanukkah are the Miracle of the Oil, lighting of the Menorah (a nine-branched candelabrum), the Dreidel, food, gift-giving, and charity donations. Thus, Hanukkah serves as a day of rededication, renewal, and commemoration. 

Kwanzaa is an annual week-long celebration that honors African heritage, culture, and community. It is a cultural celebration that focuses on unity, reflection, and heritage. The key elements of Kwanzaa are the Seven Principles–Umoja (Unity), Kujichagulia (Self-Determination), Ujima (Collective Work and Responsibility), Ujamaa (Cooperative Economics), Nia (Purpose), Kuumba (Creativity), and lastly Imani (Faith)–the Kinara (Candleholder), the Seven Candles–Black Candle, Red Candles, Green Candles–Feasts and Rituals, and Symbols. Kwanzaa serves as a holiday that strengthens the bonds within the African American community while honoring African heritage, culture, and community. 

Diwali, a major Hindu festival, celebrates the triumph of light and good over darkness and evil. It is a joyous festival that is celebrated by millions of people of various cultural backgrounds. The key traditions practiced on Diwali are lighting Diyas (oil lamps), lighting fireworks and firecrackers, cleaning and decorating homes, hosting Puja (prayer ceremony), exchanging gifts and sweets, fasting, and donating to charity. Diwali is a time for spiritual reflection, family bonding, celebration, and the reaffirmation of values. 

New Year’s is a celebration that marks the beginning of a new year and represents a fresh start. This celebration is widely recognized around the world as a time of reflection, renewal, and goal-setting for upcoming years. There are several New Year’s celebrations around the world with the most common being the Gregorian New Year (January 1). Other New Years include Chinese/Lunar New Year (sometime between January 21st and February 20th), Rosh Hashanah (sometime in September or October), Diwali (sometime in October or November), Islamic New Year (varies), Nowruz (Around March 20th to 21st), Songkran (April 13th to 15th), etc. The common activities that take place on New Year’s include parties, fireworks, special meals, and traditions. New Year’s serves as a time to bid farewell to the past year and welcome the opportunities and challenges of the year ahead. 

Activities

In addition to the holiday fun, winter also offers a wide range of activities that take advantage of the cold weather and seasonal beauty. Some of the most popular activities include ice skating, skiing, snowboarding, and sledding. Skiing, snowboarding, and sledding attract outdoor enthusiasts due to its thrilling runs on snow-covered slopes. Ice skating, whether on a frozen lake or a rink, provides fun for everyone! Other activities include building snowmen, having snowball fights, or enjoying a cozy day inside with a cup of hot chocolate. Whether inside or outside, winter offers a wide variety of activities for everyone to enjoy!

Food 

To spice up the fun of the holiday season, families and friends often have holiday meals. Filling your heart with a blend of rich flavors and comforting traditions, winter holiday meals serve as a way to celebrate love, joy, and the spirit of giving. These meals are often centered around hearty dishes, accompanied by side dishes, desserts, hot drinks, and much more. Each region of earth has its own types of winter holiday meals. Despite the differences in common and popular holiday dishes, people around the world all share one thing in common which is love from friends and family!

In the quiet stillness of winter, ancient Greek myths of Persephone and Hades remind us about the connection between nature and humans. Just as Persephone’s return marks the end of her time in the underworld with Hades, winter marks the end of a year and the start of another. In nature, animals find ways to adapt to the weather changes brought by winter. Though these weather changes have caused people to feel feelings of seasonal depression, it is also a time of warmth and reflection. Seasonal celebrations, whether it is the heart-warming foods, activities, or holidays that people celebrate, serve as a reminder of the joys found in life. These different aspects of winter allow us to see the beauty that shines through the snowy sky. Our spirits change even in the coldest of times, just like the seasons.  

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