Humanist Society interview series: Matt Cormack of the Scottish Pagan Federation on solstice traditions
December 17, 2024
With the winter solstice just around the corner, we spoke to Matt Cormack, Presiding Officer of the Scottish Pagan Federation, about what this time of year means for our country’s Pagan community.
Hi Matt! Please introduce yourself and tell us about the Scottish Pagan Federation
Hello, I’m Matt Cormack. I am the Presiding Officer of the Scottish Pagan
Federation. I have been a practising Pagan for over 18 years. As the Presiding
Officer, I oversee the organisation and support all of our volunteers in fulfilling their
roles. The Scottish Pagan Federation is an organisation of volunteers that exists to support Pagans in Scotland, raise awareness of Paganism, challenge stereotypes or discrimination about Paganism, and provide accurate information about Paganism to other bodies or the public.
A small ritual that I like to perform at Yule is to reflect on how the year has been for me and what I want to let go. I sit in the darkness, allowing the dark to feel like an enveloping hug. I end by lighting a candle that will burn through the night, symbolising the light that will return after the longest night.
What does this time of year mean for Scotland’s Pagans?
The Winter Solstice means a lot to many Pagans. It is the longest night and the shortest day, and the time of greatest darkness before the sun starts to return. Symbolically, for many, it represents a time of death and rebirth but can also be a time for hope. We mark the time in the hope that the darkness will pass and the light will return. As a therapist, that particularly stands out to me because the winter period can be a difficult time for a lot of people and sometimes there is a need to sit in the darkness with others, until the light finds a way to return for them. This is a time for rest and reflection as well. I’m hopeful that we will all have the opportunity to pause and rest after a busy year.
How will you be marking the season?
Speaking personally, I’ll be celebrating Yule by spending some time with a group that I work closely with, where we will be honouring this time of year together through ritual. However, I also take some time to honour Yule on my own. One of the beautiful parts of Paganism is that you don’t need anyone else to practice as a Pagan. Many Pagans are solitary.
A small ritual that I like to perform at Yule is to reflect on how the year has been for me and what I want to let go. I sit in the darkness, allowing the dark to feel like an enveloping hug. I end by lighting a candle that will burn through the night, symbolising the light that will return after the longest night. It acts as a physical reminder that the darker nights will pass. I frame this as a ritual performance but I have humanist friends who do something similar as a non-religious act of reflection.
The first principle of Paganism is a reverence and love for nature. I know many humanists share our love for this planet and a concern to address the current climate crisis.
How can people interested in Pagan festivities learn more, or even get involved?
Most Pagans tend to practice in small groups. We don’t have formal churches or
temples, instead we choose to spend time in nature and tend to hold our rituals
outside. Some celebrations are private as groups tend to be closely knit.
According to our federation’s discrimination survey, over 40% of Pagans in Scotland have experienced discrimination and, in the past, the media has often been hostile to Pagans and Paganism. As a result, Pagan groups may meet publicly without practicing publicly. There are a number of groups that meet regularly to discuss Paganism that we call “moots”. The Scottish Pagan Federation website has a list of various moots across Scotland. These offer an opportunity to meet Pagans and find out more.
Part of recognising the divine for me is about seeing the divine in everyone, valuing all people. I encounter many humanists who share this valuing of all people.
What are the points of similarity between Paganism and humanism?
I notice a number of places where humanism and Paganism have points of similarity, although Paganism does not have a central doctrine, which can make things tricky when explaining it. Some people describe Paganism as a tree with many branches. However, as I get older, I have started to perceive Paganism as being more like a garden: there are herbs, trees, flowers, and grass, similarly to how Paganism has Wicca, Heathenry, Druidry, and many other paths. Our ritual practices may be quite different, but there are three principles that connect most Pagan paths.
The first principle is a reverence and love for nature. I know many humanists share
our love for this planet and a concern to address the current climate crisis. The second is a positive morality in which individuals are responsible for developing their true nature in harmony with the world. This principle reminds me of humanist ideas of bodily autonomy and freedom of conscience. Many LGBT+ people are drawn to Paganism as we celebrate diverse relationships and can perform legal weddings for couples of any gender.
The third and final principle is a recognition of the divine that transcends our concepts of gender. While humanism and Paganism differ here, part of recognising the divine for me is about seeing the divine in everyone, valuing all people. I encounter many humanists who share this valuing of all people.
As we approach the Winter Solstice, I hope that you will find warmth, comfort, and rest, however you choose to recognise this special time of year.
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