The Winter Solstice will take place on the 22nd December this year at 04.38 (GMT), exactly as the Sun is overhead the Tropic of Capricorn. It will usher in the shortest day of the year and welcome in the longest night for those in the Northern Hemisphere.
The Night Has a Thousand Eyes
The night has a thousand eyes,
And the day but one;
Yet the light of the bright world dies
With the dying sun
The mind has a thousand eyes,
And the heart but one;
Yet the light of a whole life dies
When love is gone.
By Francis William Bourdillon,
Ref: Best-Loved Poems
The word ‘Solstice’ hails from two Latin words – ‘Sol’ meaning Sun and ‘Sistere’ meaning to stand still. The solstice is actually an astrological event that happens twice per year. The Sun will briefly be stationary before changing direction.
The word ‘Yule’ often described the Winter Solstice period, and for thousands of years people have celebrated the season as a time to come together, to be with family and to look forward to the New Year to come. The Suns rebirth was rejoiced as it meant the end of another harsh cold winter and a celebration of having survived.
Even though for most of us the changing of the season is not as important to our survival; many still like to celebrate the solstice period and to draw on the positive energy the cycle brings.
For many this will mean a trip to Stonehenge which has a sightline that points to the Winter Solstice Sunset. It is believed that both the Summer and Winter Solstice were marked by the layout of the stones and the position of the Avenue. Standing in the centre of the circle you can see the Sun rise next to the Heel Stone during the Summer Solstice and for the Winter Solstice the Sun sets between the stones of the tallest trilithon.
If you can’t go to Stonehenge there are other ways to celebrate: You could burn a Yule log (traditionally oak) in a fireplace. Decorate your home with seasonal colours of red, green and white – think holly, ivy, mistletoe and evergreens. Lastly write your goals, dreams and resolutions on a piece of paper for the coming year and keep it safe.
Tweet