Haha yeah, I know a couple of northern hemisphere pagans who've moved here and found the seasonal change a bit of a change! Pagan traditions in NZ tend to be a bit different, out of necessity.
I haven't tried to replace Xmas with Summer Solstice celebrations. For me, Xmas is a family celebration, not a religious one. My religious ritual takes place on the 22nd (or equivalent solstice day). Xmas is the 25th! ;)
And since Xmas is a secular holiday for my family (and for much of NZ in general, really), I've always had a decorated tree during December. The rituals of going to the farm to pick one, dressing it while having a few drinks, etc etc, are pretty important. Of course, I customise my holiday celebrations a bit for religious reasons, but it's easy enough to do.
My fav. Xmas tree will forever be the Pohutukawa at a friend's beach house, which we dressed in lights. Sitting on the deck facing the water, feeling the heat of the sun, smelling the ocean, listening to the birds, cooking sausages on the bbq... and then lighting up the tree when dark fell. That was a very good Xmas!
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I haven't tried to replace Xmas with Summer Solstice celebrations. For me, Xmas is a family celebration, not a religious one. My religious ritual takes place on the 22nd (or equivalent solstice day). Xmas is the 25th! ;)
And since Xmas is a secular holiday for my family (and for much of NZ in general, really), I've always had a decorated tree during December. The rituals of going to the farm to pick one, dressing it while having a few drinks, etc etc, are pretty important. Of course, I customise my holiday celebrations a bit for religious reasons, but it's easy enough to do.
My fav. Xmas tree will forever be the Pohutukawa at a friend's beach house, which we dressed in lights. Sitting on the deck facing the water, feeling the heat of the sun, smelling the ocean, listening to the birds, cooking sausages on the bbq... and then lighting up the tree when dark fell. That was a very good Xmas!