The official start of winter in the Northern hemisphere begins today when the solstice occurs at 11:47am Central Standard Time.
The sun is at it’s lowest point in the sky giving us the shortest day of the year. Technically, the day with the least amount of sun light, all days are 24 hours. Although it will continue to get colder for another month, I celebrate the lengthening days and the coming spring.
Some solstice facts:
- In the southern hemisphere they are celebrating the summer solstice, the longest day of the year.
- The solstice occurs because the earth’s axis is tilted at an angle of 23.5 degrees. The winter solstice is the day the north pole is furtherest from the sun.
- The word solstice comes from ancient Latin. Sol meaning “sun” and sistere, “to stand still.” For several days before and after the solstice the sun appears to stand still in the sky and it’s noon time elevation does not change.
- Some say early Christmas celebrations have their roots in the Feast of Saturnalia, a winter solstice celebration to the Roman god Saturn. When Christianity was introduced to the Roman Empire, the church allowed the feast to continue but dedicated it to the birth of Christ.
- The custom of giving presents comes from the Roman feast of Saturnalia.
- Stonehenge is aligned with solstice. The timber circle is orientated towards the rising sun on the midwinter solstice.
More about the winter solstice can be found here.
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Lengthening days is, indeed, a great start toward spring.