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.
We have made another one. It's all downhill now till the equinox.
ReplyDeleteHave a great year.
I know the feeling of "We made another one!"
DeleteDec 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 :)
ReplyDeleteYou're one of the only people here that I've heard have some sort of celebration for the solstice. Sounds like fun.
DeleteToday 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! :-)
ReplyDeletePlus 5 secs is much better than nothing. Yes, it's easier to feel that we're progressing rather than regressing.
Deletemore daylight but lots more winter. that's how i remember noting it in wisconsin. :)
ReplyDeleteYou've got the lots more winter right. However, somehow it feels easier to take.
DeleteI enjoy watching my daylight lasting longer.I have went to numerous celebrations, one always beating drums to welcome it in.
ReplyDeleteCool that you're one of the few who celebrate the solstice.
DeleteCelebrated with a brisk walk in the early dawn and the late evening dusk...great day for a walk...
ReplyDeleteKey word is celebrate!
DeleteI tend to notice when the days get longer but not when they get shorter.
ReplyDeleteI watch every one get shorter. I'm obsessed about it!
ReplyDeletewe are always driving at sunset...and watch before our eyes the days getting shorter and shorter and then longer and longer...
ReplyDeleteIt's funny how you have to drive into the sunset each day! Then in the morning you face the sunrise!
ReplyDeleteIts only a very mild winter where I stay now. Have fun Red!
ReplyDeleteHave a good Christmas holiday. Thanks for following my blog.
DeleteI 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.
Merry Christmas, Red!
ReplyDeleteThe new header on my blog is the Solstice Sunrise from the Black Hills of South Dakota, looking east from my deck.
I know the Black Hills aren't prairie but South Dakota is prairie and nothing beats a prairie sunrise.
ReplyDeleteHave a great Christmas.
We made it, Red! Heading toward Spring...although, I know you know how to enjoy winter!!!
ReplyDeleteLinda
http://coloradofarmlife.wordpress.com
http://deltacountyhistoricalsociety.wordpress.com
¸.•*¨*•♪♫♫♪HAPPY NEW YEAR ♪♫•*¨*•.¸¸♥
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.
ReplyDeleteCheers.