Saint Lucy's (or Lucia's) Day

December 13, 2022

Dec. 13 is Saint Lucy’s (or Lucia’s) Day, also known as the Christian Feast Day of Santa Lucia. She was a young Christian martyr who died during the Roman Empire's persecution of Christians in the 3rd century. Born in 283 AD to wealthy and noble parents in Syracuse (Sicily), Saint Lucia lost her Roman father in infancy, and was brought up by her Greek mother, Eutychia, who instilled in her a deep sense of altruism.

Lucy was honored as a saint in the Middle Ages, and remained a well-known saint in early modern England. Her festival was on December 13 in the Julian calendar. This is December 21 (winter solstice) in the current Gregorian calendar, but Lucy's feast day continues to be celebrated on the 13th day of December in the Gregorian system, too.

Saint Lucy is celebrated in the Swedish tradition by lighting candles and eating a breakfast of coffee (for energy), ginger cookies (for power and success), and saffron buns (for beauty and healing).

It is said that if Saint Lucy’s day be bright, Christmas day will be dark with snow; but if the snow falls on Saint Lucy, Christmas will be clear and sunny.

Saint Lucia is an aspect of the Divine Mother Goddess who embodies the Light of the World. Her name Lucia means “the light,” which is reborn every year at the winter solstice.

Lux in tenebris [light in darkness] is one of the strongest notes of the Christmas season: in the bleak midwinter a light shines through the darkness; when all is cold and gloom, the sky bursts into splendor, and in the dark cave is born the Light of the World. — Clement A. Miles

In some of the iconography, Lucy is depicted with eyes closed, or removed, as her Light is that which comes from within. She is thus known as the patron saint of the blind.

As we light candles today, we can evoke Saint Lucy for safety, good health, protection, and banishing darkness. Jai Maa, praise to the Goddess in all her myriad forms. Blessed Lucia, please continue to light our way and shower the world with your comfort, mercy, and charity. May the Divine Light that shines through you be reborn daily within all of life.