Why is the solstice so important for calendars? At the December solstice, which marks the southernmost point of its journey, it stops again to start its journey back toward the north. Having reached its northernmost point at the June solstice, it starts moving southward until it crosses the equator on the day of the September equinox. ![]() Sun times at the South Pole in December What Does “Solstice” Mean?ĭuring the course of a year, the subsolar point-the spot on the Earth's surface directly beneath the Sun-slowly moves along a north-south axis. Places within the Antarctic Circle experience Midnight Sun, when the Sun does not set at night. ![]() Here, too, the effect is greater the farther a location is away from the equator. Longest Day in the SouthĬonversely, the day of the December solstice is the longest day of the year in the Southern Hemisphere. In tropical areas, the shortest day is just a little shorter than 12 hours in the temperate zone, it is significantly shorter and places within the Arctic Circle experience polar night, when the Sun does not rise at all. This effect is greatest in locations that are farther away from the equator. At the solstice, the North Pole's tilt away from the Sun is greatest, so this event marks the shortest day of the year north of the equator. Since the Northern Hemisphere is tilted away from the Sun in December, it receives less sunlight during the course of a day. Local times for this solstice worldwide.Sun rise/set and day length around this solstice.Business Date to Date (exclude holidays).It is only when we fully embrace the darkness that we can fully appreciate the light. Read: 5 Practices to Embrace the Darknessįrom within that embrace the light will emerge. The parts of yourself that you don’t like to see.Īllow yourself to feel how the darkness embraces you back. Read: 7 Winter Solstice Rituals That Embrace the Darkness Winter solstice is our annual invitation to embrace the darkness. Learning to sit in the darkness without fear is not just the best path to the light it’s the only path. The true light leaders in this world are not those who harbor a relentless optimism, but rather those who have been willing to sit in and embrace their own darkness and the darkness around them. To fully embody the light around and within ourselves, must fully embrace the darkness that exists around and within ourselves. We cannot just command ourselves or others to “be happy” or “be light.” To see and be seen in the light - to be seen in our own light - is one of the greatest gifts we can give to ourselves and each other.Īnd… there are no shortcuts to the light. We rely on the sun’s warmth for nourishment. Plants, animals, and humans all need the sun’s light to grow. There’s no debate about the value and importance of light. Try starting a conversation about any of these topics at a party and notice how quickly people squirm and excuse themselves to leave. This gives me an interesting perspective on how people respond to darkness. ![]() Holding space for others in their darkest moments is where my light shines brightest. In my astrology chart, I have my sun in the eighth house - the place of grief, death, and mental health issues. There is a general collective unease with the dark and with what we might find there: mental health issues, inequality, trauma, manipulative behavior, grief, death, sadness, despair, uncertainty, the mystery, emptiness, loneliness. We fill our days with activities, errands, work, things to do, stuff to buy. Many of us are experts at escaping the dark void. As adults, we simply find legitimate ways to avoid the darkness. ![]() It seems that we never quite grow out of the fear of the dark we may have had as children. The cultural messaging is to “be light” - in your physical body, on your feet, in your attitude. In modern times, we still chase the light, both in literal and metaphorical terms. Events like eclipses were considered ominous signs because they blocked the luminaries: the light of the sun or the moon. Our Fear of the Darkįrom ancient times, humans have had discomfort with darkness. From now until the June solstice, the days will gradually get longer. Read: 3 Rituals to Embrace the Winter Solstice In the northern hemisphere, it’s the Winter Solstice: the shortest day of the year - and the longest night.
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