BANGOR – The Temple of the Feminine Divine in Bangor will celebrate the winter solstice at 7 p.m. today at the Unitarian Universalist Church, 120 Park St.

Every culture celebrates the rebirth of the sun, according to a press release from the temple. Members will re-enact the Japanese myth of Amaterasu. She is the Japanese Shinto sun goddess, according to the Web site encyclopediamythica.com. Amaterasu was so bright and radiant that her parents sent her up to heaven, where she has ruled ever since.

When her brother, the storm god Susanowa, ravaged the Earth, according to the myth, she retreated to a cave and closed it shut with a large boulder because he was so noisy. She was lured out of the cave by the laughter of other gods. They grabbed Amaterasu and returned her to the sky when she went to look at her own reflection in a mirror that had been hung in a nearby tree.

Drumming and dancing also will be part of the celebration.

For information, call 941-0261.