Friday, December 21, 2012

Winter Solstice

   Winter solstice is a magical day of the year. It's the day of the year when we have the least number of sunlight hours. For an outdoors person like me it's a notable day. For me the sun rose at 8:43 and set at 4:35. It will be a few days before the day light starts to increase. We had a clear sunny day with the temperature around minus 18 C(0 F).

    Many ancient cultures recognized the shortest day of the year and had it identified fairly accurately. There were numerous types of celebration depending on the culture. They recognized that the days were going to get longer and they celebrated even though in northern areas they knew that the worst of the winter season was ahead of them.

     So today I have some reason for a quiet celebration. Sadly we do not have any formal recognition of this day. 

22 comments:

  1. We have made another one. It's all downhill now till the equinox.
    Have a great year.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I know the feeling of "We made another one!"

      Delete
  2. Dec 21 is a big day in our house. We celebrate with a special supper and are quite excited about now watching ourselves gain more light every day. Its actually quite an exciting event in our home. Time to celebrate. Yay :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. You're one of the only people here that I've heard have some sort of celebration for the solstice. Sounds like fun.

      Delete
  3. Today is five seconds longer than yesterday was, that's in my part of the world, Red. But you know, that's a start! Happy holidays to you and now that the Winter Solstice is behind us, we are all celebrating the return of the light. We had bright sunshine yesterday, too, it was glorious! :-)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Plus 5 secs is much better than nothing. Yes, it's easier to feel that we're progressing rather than regressing.

      Delete
  4. more daylight but lots more winter. that's how i remember noting it in wisconsin. :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. You've got the lots more winter right. However, somehow it feels easier to take.

      Delete
  5. I enjoy watching my daylight lasting longer.I have went to numerous celebrations, one always beating drums to welcome it in.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Cool that you're one of the few who celebrate the solstice.

      Delete
  6. Celebrated with a brisk walk in the early dawn and the late evening dusk...great day for a walk...

    ReplyDelete
  7. I tend to notice when the days get longer but not when they get shorter.

    ReplyDelete
  8. I watch every one get shorter. I'm obsessed about it!

    ReplyDelete
  9. we are always driving at sunset...and watch before our eyes the days getting shorter and shorter and then longer and longer...

    ReplyDelete
  10. It's funny how you have to drive into the sunset each day! Then in the morning you face the sunrise!

    ReplyDelete
  11. Its only a very mild winter where I stay now. Have fun Red!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Have a good Christmas holiday. Thanks for following my blog.
      I think I could enjoy a mild or tropical Christmas!!!It's what I like about your blog. I get to see something that is different.

      Delete
  12. Merry Christmas, Red!
    The new header on my blog is the Solstice Sunrise from the Black Hills of South Dakota, looking east from my deck.

    ReplyDelete
  13. I know the Black Hills aren't prairie but South Dakota is prairie and nothing beats a prairie sunrise.
    Have a great Christmas.

    ReplyDelete
  14. We made it, Red! Heading toward Spring...although, I know you know how to enjoy winter!!!

    Linda
    http://coloradofarmlife.wordpress.com
    http://deltacountyhistoricalsociety.wordpress.com

    ¸.•*¨*•♪♫♫♪HAPPY NEW YEAR ♪♫•*¨*•.¸¸♥

    ReplyDelete
  15. Red have you now noticed the days are slowly starting to get longer? I noticed it a few days ago and it made my heart dance with joy! It would be nice if there was some type of celebration, the worst is over, that's reason enough for me to celebrate! Any excuse to eat cake eh? lol There's plenty of summer solstice parties, unfair I'd say.

    Cheers.

    ReplyDelete