The winter solstice on December 21, 2024, marked the longest period of darkness in the northern hemisphere, a turning point after which the days grow longer and the light gradually pushes back the shadows. As a powerful symbol of transition and hope, the winter solstice invites us to honor the changing season and embrace the coming light.
Much like the rituals we observe to honor those who have passed, solstice celebrations vary widely across cultures. In Norse and Celtic traditions, the burning of a yule log symbolizes warmth, light, and the sun’s return during the darkest time of the year—a poignant reminder of our life-giving estrella.
Inspired by this astronomical event and the yule log tradition, we partnered with our friends at the Central Texas Mycological Society (CTMS) to host a unique celebration at Campo de Estrellas Conservation Cemetery. The day was a spectacular mix of knowledge sharing, exploration, reflection, and community.
Our event began around noon at the farmhouse on Abbey Grange, the property housing Campo de Estrellas. Participants gathered in the cozy main room, enjoying cups of yaupon tea, coffee, and delectable snacks like “Mushrooms Casino,” mushroom jerky, and persimmon cookies provided by Austin Davenport and Angel Shatz of CTMS.
The Campo de Estrellas team then gave a presentation on the history of Abbey Grange, its rewilding efforts, the legal aspects of opening a conservation cemetery in Texas, and the principles of natural burial. Engaging discussions followed, fueled by thought-provoking questions from the participants. It is always so heartening to be reminded of the community’s deep interest in natural burial and our mission.
After the presentation, we ventured into the cemetery for hands-on demonstrations. Groups rotated between participating in a shrouding and processing activity and touring the cemetery with Cindy, who highlighted our gardens, explained grave-marking processes, and shared stories of those buried here.
I led the shrouding demonstration, where volunteers practiced shrouding a willing participant and carrying them to a mock burial site outlined by a wooden frame and adorned with yaupon holly clippings. While shrouding may not be part of everyone’s end-of-life plan, offering a safe and lighthearted environment for people to experience these rituals can be profoundly moving. One participant even chose to read a poem aloud from within the shroud – a moment of humor and humanity true to the spirit of the event.
After all groups had participated, we reconvened at the farmhouse for a sunset ecology walk led by Chris Garza, an ecologist with extensive knowledge of Central Texas’ plants, fungi, and wildlife. Chris encouraged us to reflect on the yule log tradition as we gathered bits of nature to adorn our log. Along the path, he pointed out the thriving winter flora and shared tips on pruning limbs safely without exposing trees to infection. The highlight of the walk was discovering Texas Star mushrooms (Chorioactis geaster), an incredibly rare fungus found only in Texas and Japan. These unique “stars” emerged from a felled cedar stump, also known as the ‘black crown’. It was thrilling to know that our little plot of land was home to something so rare and was indeed a ‘field of stars’!
The day concluded at the farmhouse firepit, where we adorned the yule log with our collected clippings. Around the fire, participants shared solstice reflections inspired by the plants we’d encountered. “Keep what is beautiful and let go of the rest,” one person said. “Lean toward the light,” another added. As the log burned and the sun set behind the trees, we celebrated the season with warmth, connection, and gratitude for the life that continues all around us. Under the twinkling winter sky, we embraced the enduring power of light and renewal.