Friday, December 21, 2007

Happy Winter Solstice


Tonight brings the Winter Solstice to North America.

Solstice means "standing-still-sun" and occurs when, because of the earth's tilt, your hemisphere is leaning farthest away from the sun, and therefore the daylight is the shortest and the sun has its lowest arc in the sky. It will occur in North America on December 21 or 22, depending on your time zone.


EST: Dec 22, 1:08 am
CST: Dec 22, 12:08 am
MST: Dec 21, 11:08 pm
PST: Dec 21, 10:08 pm

Many cultures the world over perform solstice ceremonies. At their root: an ancient fear that the failing light would never return unless humans intervened with anxious vigil or antic celebration.

Christmas was transplanted onto winter solstice some 1,600 years ago, centuries before the English language emerged from its Germanic roots. This may be why the annual celebration of the "rebirth" of the sun came to mean "the birth of the Son."

A solstice candle, lit at sundown and allowed to burn in a safe place through the night, is a simple tradition deeply connected to ancient ways.

I took all of this info from this site if you are interested in learning more: http://www.candlegrove.com/solstice.html.

May your winter solstice be filled with good cheer, reflection, hope for the rebirth of the light, peace, and lots and lots and lots of love.

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